
Class. 

Book 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 



ANKW 

AMERICAN 

OR. 

REMEMBRANCER 

OF THE 

DEPARTED 

OF 



Confined Exclusively 
TO THOSE WHO SIGNALIZED THEMSELVES 

IN EITHER CAPACITY, 

rt.\ the Revcjutionary War which obtained the Iiidepeiidenc<^ 
of their country. 

SECOND EDITION. 

'vVfTH ZMrORTANT ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS. 

COMPILED BY T. .L ROGERS. 

,, ;: ^^'e aie r.-!;iced to the alternative of choosing an unconai. 
• iional submission to the tyranny of irritated Ministers, or re- 
' sistance bv iorce. The latter is our choice. We have counted 
, the cost of this contest, and Ibund nothing- so dreadful as vo- 
*' luntary slavery." 

Bedaration of Oongreis, setting forth the necessity 
of taid7ig up m-tns — July 6, 1775.^ 



EASTON, PENN: 

^^aiKTED AND PUBLISHED BY THOS, J. IIOGEI 

} ,9 Of; 




Eastkrn District ©p Penkstiyania, to wit. 

Be it bemembered, that on the IweniA- 
seventh day of January in the forty-seventh year 
of the Independence of the United States of 
America, A. D. 1823, Thomas J. Kogers, of the 
said District hath deposited in this office the ti- 
tle of a Book, the right wliereof he claims as pro- 
prietor, in the words following^, to wit : 

'*• A new American Biographical Dictionary ; or Remem- 
brancer of the departed Heroes, Sages, and Statesmen of 
America. Confined exclusively to those who signalized 
themselves in either capacity in the Revolutionary War, 
•^vhich obtained the Independence of their country. Se- 
cond Edition, with important alterations and additions. 
Compiled by Thomas J. Rogers. 

' We are reduced to the alternative of choosing an un- 
*' conditional submission to the tyranny of irritated Min^ 
^•' isters, orresistance by force. The latter is our choice. 
'"* We have counted the cost of this contest, and found 
" nothing so dreadful as voluntary slavery.'* 

Declaration of Congress setting forth the necessity 
of taking up arms. — .luly 6, 1775. 

In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United 
States, intituled, ** An act for the encouragement of learning, 
by securing the copies of maps, charts and books, to the au- 
thors and proprietors of such copies during the times therein 
mentioned." And also to the act entitled, *' An act supple- 
mentary to an act, entitled "An act for the encouragement 
of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and 
books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during 
the limes therein mentioned," and extending the benefits 
thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching hjg- 
^orical and other prints." 

D CALDWELL. 
Clerk of the Eastern district of Pennsylvania. 



^J 



PBEFACB. 



The iollowiiig work contains sketches of tlifc 
lives and charactei-s of many of those deceased he- 
i'oes and statesmen, distinguished in the cabinet oi* 
the held, during the great and memorable contest 
which ga\ c freedom and independence to America^ 
and established a go\ ernment on principles un- 
known to the old world, the sovereignty of the 
|)eople. it is intended to perpetuate as well the 
names as tlte conduct of many of those distinguish- 
ed men, wliose wisdom and valour gave liberty 
and independence to our country; in order that all, 
iind piirticnlai'lij our ijonth, may become acquaint- 
ed with the characters and services of those to 
Vviioip-j under Providence, we owe our existence as 
a nation. The talents, the virtues, and the pub- 
lic services, of those heroes, sagesj and patriots, of 
the revolution, should be impressed, as early as 
possible, on the minds and hearts of the rising 
generation, and of tlie generations that are to come 
after them, and every endeavour to rescue from 
oblivion, the men who distinguished themselves, 
in that eventful peiiod, is worthy of encourage- 
ment, peiiiaps of praise. Garden, in his Anecdotes 
of tlie American revolution, says, ""with such in- 
slasices of every public and p^i^ ate virtue, as the 
history of our own country affords, it is a serious er- 
ror in our system of education, that our youth re- 
ceive their first ideas of patriotic excellence from 
the annals of other nations. Familiar with the 
ach.icA emcnts of tiie heroes of ancient times, the 
virtues and services of the worthies of their own 
country, ai-e seldom or but imperfectly known. 
Zsk^xt to their duty towards God, there is not a pa- 
rent who ouglit not to impress upon the n^nds of 
liis children the devotion which is due to their 
country: and how^ can this bo more effectually done 



i¥ PREFACE. 

than to keep in their view from the first dawn of 
reason, tlie virtues which have raised the henefac- 
tors of their country to immortality." 

" The American revolution constitutes one of tlie 
epochs from which will he dated a vast ameliora- 
tion in the destiny of man; and the fame of many 
illustrious men who were engaged in its cause, will 
continually increase as the operation of its conse- 
quences is extended. Their talents and virtues 
were exhibited in the senate or the camp, in the 
forum or the field, v» ith undaunted zeal and heroic 
constancy. They were courageous, moderate, 
plain, and incorruptible. They were inihued with 
a deep sense of religion, which guided and guaran- 
teed all their conduct. They were of unyielding 
principles, which made them the ornaments of their 
owii age, and will secure to tliem the admiration 
of posterity. 

'* No study can he more usefjji to the ingeniions 
youth of the United States, than tiiat of their own 
history, nor any example more interesting or more 
safe for their contemplation, than those of the great 
founders of the republic. Yet, it is feared that this 
department is too mucli neglected hy them, or only 
superficially examined. There are certain senti- 
ments indeed, that are learned by rote, while a few 
prominent names and facts are known and repeat- 
ed exclusively. When a well known foreign jour- 
nal, in all the triunsph of insolent ignorance, asked, 
^*who Patnck Henry was?'' v/e only smiled at its 
impertinence. But are we entirely exempt frora 
the reproach of neglecting our own annals, for less 
vahiahle history?"'^ 

Of those wlio took part in the revolution, it has 
been emphatically said, *Hhere were giants in 
these days.-'' We would implant their inemory in 
tise hearts of our children, to be handed {!own to 
iheir children, in proud remembrance, of the virtues 

■^ Tudor's life of Otis, 



PREFACE. 



and talents of men who never had their sisperiors. 
<' Never," says the elegant hiographer of the elo- 
quent Patrick Henry, ' in any country or in any 
age, did there exist, a race of men, vdiose soufs 
\vere better fitted to endure the trial. Patient in 
suffering, firm^ in adversity, calm and collected 
amidst the dangers which pressed around them, 
cool in council, and brave in battle, they were wor- 
thy of tlie cause, and the cause w as w orthy of them/ 
in contemplating the characters of such men, our 
youth will have before them, models of every public 
and private virtue. Here he who is ambitious of 
acting a distinguished part in the cabinet, may 
learn to imitate a Franklin, a Henry, an Adams, 
a Hancock, and otliers. Here the soldier, whose 
ambition is patriotism and glory, may be stimula- 
ted to acquire the laurels gained by a Washington 
a Greene, a Montgomery, a Wayne, a Warren, a 
Gates, and their compatriots. And here the sea- 
man may dwell with deliglit and satisfaction, on 
i\\Q^ heroic actions of a Biddle and others. It has 
been v.eli observed that from the galaxy of great- 
ness displayed in our revolution, many a subse- 
quent rising star in our firmament of glory has bor- 
rowed much of its splendour. The recital of the 
deeds of the heroes of '76, has a fascinating influ- 
ence over the mind of the hearer. The child is be- 
guiled of its tears in listening to the enraptured 
tales of other times; the youth feels all the influence 
of patriotic fervour and heroic ardour: and ma- 
turer age may be taught, by their example, how to 
love and serve their country. Nor will the pei-u-^ 
sal of the rare and valuable state papers, now pub- 
lished, setting forth the causes of i\\{i separation 
from the motfier country, be less instructive. From 
them we learn the true principles of government, 
" which was instituted to protect man in his lifej 
liberty, and tiie pursuit of happiness, deriving \i^. 
just powers from tlie consent of the governed,'^ 



n PREFACE. 

The introduction contains a succinct account ol 
tlio events which led to the rupture between Great 
Britain and her tlien colonies. The declaration of 
177 5 f and the other papers wliicli emanated from 
congress, during the revolutionary contest, contain 
the manful remonstrances of freemen against op- 
pression; an elegant and eloquent exposition of the 
rights of the people, and of the causes which im- 
pelled our fathers to tlie separation. The biogra- 
phies of tlie sages and heroes, contain much in- 
structive history of the revolution: calculated to 
incite the young, instruct the old, and improve the 
moral character of the nation, by holding up to 
public view and imitation, portraits of virtue and 
patriotism, of which the history of mankind affords 
no hriglitcr examples. To which is added the fare- 
well address of Washington, in which we may 
read witli delight and instruction, the advice of 
the fatlier of our country, and the importance and 
necessity of preserving the union of our confedera- 
ted republic. 

Sucit is the work, and such the views of the com- 
piler. Tlie former edition having been disposed of, 
tlic present, considerably improved, is now offer- 
ed as a class book, in our schools and other semi- 
naries of learning. He conceives it eminently fit- 
te I for an American School Book; well suited to tlie 
capacity of youth, and inculcating principles whicli 
correspond witli our institutions. Placed in the 
hands of our youth, he trusts it may excite t)ieir 
siiiuds to emulate the patriots^ sages, and states- 
men, whose memory it commemorates^ and lead 
them to seek for Oiodels of excellence at home in- 
stead of abroad. It is in fact a JVational work^ 
calrulated to promote a national feeling in the 
yo»:thfui mind, as well as to interest those who are 
inore advanced in years. 



INlllODUCTION. 



As the present edition is intended for the use of 
schools, and as it is calculated to give the youth a 
correct account of the transactions which took 
place, as well as ahiographical sketch, of many of 
those illustrious patriots, whose wisdom in council 
and valour in hattle, ohtained the independence 
of our country, it may he well in a summary mode, 
to trace the current of events, from the origin of the 
plan of taxing America, up to July 6, 1775, wheH 
the declaration setting forth the causes and neces- 
sity of taking up arms, was issued. Tudor, in liis 
life of Otis, gives us the following interesting an- 
ecdote: *'When president Adams was minister at 
the court of St. James, he often saw his country- 
man, Benjamin West, the late president of the roy- 
al academy. Mr. West always retained a strong 
and unyielding affection for his native land. Mr. 
West one day asked Mr Adams, if he should like 
to take a walk with him and sec the carsse of the 
American revolution The minister having knowa 
something of this matter, smiled at the proposal, 
but told him that he should he glad to see the cause 
of tliat revolution, and to take a walk with his 
friend West, any where. The next morning lie 
called according to agreement, and took Mr. 
Adams into Hyde Park, to a spot near the Ser- 
pentine river, where he gave him the following 
iiai'rative. The king came to the throne a young 
man, surrounded by Hattering courtiers; one <}f 
whose frequent topics it was. to declaim against 
the meaimess of his palace, which was wholly un- 
worthy a monarch of such a country as EiigLind, 
They said that there was not a sovereign in Eu- 
rope who was lodged so poorly, that his sorry, 
dingy, old, brick palace of St. James, looked like 
a stable, and that he ought to build a palace s jita- 
])le to his kingdom. The king was fond of archi 



viii INTRODUCTION. 

tcrture, and would therefore more readily listen t« 
suggestions, whicli uere in fact all true. This 
spot that you see here, was selected for the site, 
between this and this point, which were marked 
out. The king applied to his ministers on the 
fluhject; they inquired what sum would be wanted 
by his majesty, who said, tliat he would begin 
with a million; they stated the expenses of tlic 
war, and the poverty of the treasury, but that his 
majesty's wishes should be taken into full consid- 
eration. Some time afterwards the king was in- 
formed, that the wants of tlie treasury were too 
iirgent to admit of a supph^ from their present 
means, but that a revenue might be raised in Amc- 
Hra to supply all the king's wishes. This sug- 
gestion was followed u]), and tlie king was in tliis 
way first led to consider, and then to consent, to the 
scheme for taxing the colonies." 

In 1764, the British parliament passed resolu- 
tions, preparatory to laying a tax on the colonies, 
by a stamp act. In March, 17G5, tlie famous stamp 
act was passed, to take effect in the colonies on the 
iirst of November follovving. This was the first 
act of the mother country, which created alarm, 
and which eventually caused a separation of these 
states from Great Britain. It passed tlie house of 
Commons by a majority of two hundred ^otes. 
The bill met with no ojiposition in the house of 
lords. Tlie very night the act passed, Dr. Frank- 
lin, who was then in London, wrote to Charles 
Tliompson, afterwards secretary to congress: — 
'^^Thesiin of liberty is set; the Americans must light 
the lamps of industry and economy.^* To which Mr. 
Thompson answered: ^'Be assured we will light 
torches of quite another sort.^^ He here predicted 
tl»e opposition and convulsions, that were about to 
follow tliat odious act. I'he torch of the revolu- 
tion was indeed very soon lig'nted. When the in- 
formation of the passage of the act reached the 
colonies, the assembly of Virginia was the oiJy 



TNTRODUCTION. ix 

mie in session; and Virginia led the way in oppo- 
sition to it. The resolutions offered by Patrick 
Uenrij, assumed a lofty and open ground against 
taxation. In New England, and particularly m 
Massachusetts, the same opposition was manifest- 
ed, and indeed the wliole continent was in a flame. 
It spread from breast to breast, till the conflagra- 
tion became general. Tlie legislature of Massa- 
chusetts met on the last day of May, 1765. A 
committee reported the expediency of having a 
p-eneral meeting of < 'committees,'' from the seve- 
ral assemblies of the colonics, to be held at New- 
York, in October following. They also resolved 
to send circulars to the several assemblies, re- 
questing their concurrence. Twenty-eight depu- 
ties, from Massachusetts, Rlmde Island, Connec- 
ticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Del- 
aware, Marvland and South Carolina, met at New- 
York, on Monday the 7th of October, 1765. They 
passed resolutions expressing their motives and 
principles, and declared their exemption from all 
taxes, not imposed by thsiv own representatives. 
They also agreed upon a petition to the king, a 
memorial to the house of lonls, and a petition to 
the house of commons. 

From the decided opposition to this act, and the 
indignation manifested against it, in all parts of 
the colonies, it was deemed proper to repeal it. U 
was accordinglv repealed on the 18th of March, 
1766. Much opposition, however, was made to its 
repeal. Several sneakers in both houses of par- 
liament, denied the right of taxing the colonies. 
Mr. Pitt, afterwards lord Chatham, said, '«it is 
my opinion that this kingdom has no right to lay 
a tax upon the colonies. We are told that Ameri- 
ca is obstinate, almost in open rebellion. I rejoice 
that America has resisted. Three millions of peo- 
ple so dead to all the feelings of liberty, as volun- 
tarilv to submit to be slaves, would have been tit 
mstrumeiits to make slaves of all the rest. The 



X INTRODUCTION. 

Americans liavc been ^v^ongedy they have bccw 
dnvcii to iriiKiiiess by iwjustice. Will you punish 
them for the nraducss you have occasioned ? No; 
lot this country be the first to resume its prudence 
and temper." Ho concluded by saying that it was 
his opinion that tiie stamp act be repealed, absolute- 
ly, totally, and immediately. 

In 1767, an act ])assed the Britisli parliament, 
laying a heavy duty on tea, glass, paper, and otlter 
articles. Tliis a.ct re-kindled the resentment and 
excited a general opposition among the people of 
the colonies; and they contended that there was no 
real difiTerence between the priiiciple of the new act 
and the stamp act. Tliis act produced resolves, 
petitions, &c. similar to those with which the col- 
onies o]>posed the stamp act, and in various parts, 
particularly in Massachusetts, on the suggestion 
iyf Sainuel MamSf it was agreed not to import and 
oonsiime British manufactures. 

In 1769, both houses of parliament passed a joint 
address to his majesty, approbatory of his mea- 
sui'es, and that they would HU}>])ort him in sucli fur- 
ther measures as niight be found necessary, to 
maintain the civil magistrates in a due execution 
ef tlie laws in Massachusetts-Bay. The assembly 
of Virginia, in this year, passed resolutions com- 
plaining of the recent acts of parliament, and re- 
monstrated against the i-ight of trausj)orting the 
free born subjects of America to England, to be 
tried for alledged offences committed in the colo- 
nies. In 1770, on the 2d of March, the Boston 
massacre took place. 

In 1773, the people of Boston, who were deter- 
mined not to pay duties on tea, collected in a town 
meeting, and resolved that the tea should not be 
landed. At the dissolution of the meeting, about 
tv.enty persons, in the disguise of I^Iohawk In- 
dians, went on board some ships, broke open 342 
chests of tea, and dis( barged their contents into 
the Avater. lu riiiladelphia^ where the spirit ot op-^ 



INTRODUCTION. xi 

position, although not less deep, was less loud, they 
unloaded some of the cargoes and stored the tea in 
damp cellars, where it soon moulded. \Yhole car- 
o-oes were returned from New York and Pliiladcl- 
phia. When the news of the destruction of the 
tea reached England, they determined to punish 
the people of Boston. In 1774, a bill was passed 
in parliament, called the Boston port bill, to dis- 
eontinuc the landing or shipping of any goods, 
wares, or merchandize, at the harbour of that city. 
This w as followed by an act authorizing the quar- 
tering of soldiers in the houses of the citizens. Gen- 
eral Gage, in character of commander in chief of 
the royal forces, and governor of Massachusetts, 
arrived at Boston, with a military force, to en- 
force the acts of tlie parliament. Fortifications 
were erected, and the ammunition and stores in 
Cambridge and Charleston, were seized and se- 
cured. 

The words whigs and tones were now introdit- 
ced, to distinguisli the names of the parties. By 
the former, were meant those who were for sup- 
porting the colonies in their opposition to the ty- 
rannical acts of the British parliament. By the 
latter, those who were in favour of Great Britain 
and opposed to resistance. 

During these covnmotions, the first congress of 
delegates, chosen and appointed by the several col- 
onies and provinces, met at Carpenter's Hall, in 
the city of Philadelphia, on the 5th of September, 
1774. Peyton Randolph, of Virginia, was unani- 
mously elected president, and Charles Thompson, 
secretary. On the 27th September, congress unan- 
imously resolved, that from and after the 1st of 
December, 1774, there should be no importation 
from Great Britain or Ireland, of British goods, 
&c. On the 8th of October, it was resolved that 
the congress approve the opposition of the inhabi- 
tants of Massachusetts Bay, to the execution of the 
obnoxious acts of parliament. An address to the 



xii IISTRODUCTIOIS. 

people of Great Britain, one to the people ot* Can- 
ada, another to the inhabitants of the colonies, and 
a petition to tlic king, were agreed to. On the 22d 
of September, they passed a resolution recom- 
mending delegates to meet again, at Philadelphia, 
©n the lX)th May, 1775. The congress was then 
dissolved. 

On the lOtli May, 1775, the delegates from the 
several colonies, with the exception of Rhode Is- 
land, assembled at the state house in Philadelplsia, 
wlien Peyton Randolph, was a second time unani- 
mously elected president, and Charles Thompson, 
secretary. A few days after they met, Mr. Ran- 
dolph being under the necessity of returning liome, 
John Hancock, of Massachusetts, was unanimous- 
ly elected president. On the ;26th May, congress 
I'esolved, that the colonies be immediately put in a 
state of defence; that another petition to the king, 
and a letter to the people of Canada, be prepared, 
which were adopted. In June, congress resolved 
to raise several companies of riflemen, &c. and 
that a general should be appointed to command all 
the continental forces raised, or to be raised, for 
the defence of American liberty; and George 
Washington, was unanimously elected. Con- 
gress, at the same time, resolved, that they would 
jnaintain, assist, and adhere to George Washing- 
ton, witli their lives and fortunes, in the same 
cause. It was also I'esolvcd, to put the militia of 
America in a proper state of defence. On the 6th 
«if July, they adopted a declaration setting forth tlie 
causes and necessity of taking lip arms. When the 
concluding pai*agraph of. this address was read to 
general Putnam's division, winch he had ordered 
to be paraded on Prospect Hill, they shouted in 
three huzzas, a loud Amen! 

Then follow tlie most important state papers 
which emanated from the revolutionary congres^* 
and which follov/ in succession in our work* 



A NEW 

AMERICAN 

BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY 



IN CONGRESS, Philadelphia, July 6, 1775. 
A DECLARATION 

BY THE REPHESEXTATIVES OF THE UNITED COL- 
OXIES 0¥ NORTH AMERICA, SETTING FORTH 
THE CAUSES AND NECESSITY OF THEIR TAKING 
UP ARMS. 

Directed to be puhlished by General Washington^ upon 
his arrival at the camp before Boston, 

If it was possible for men, who exercise their 
reason, to believe that the Divine Author of our 
existence intended a part of the human race to hold 
an absolute property in, and an unbounded pov^er 
over others, marked out by his infinite goodness 
and wisdom, as the objects of a legal domination 
never rightfully resistible, however severe and op- 
pressive, the inhabitants of these Colonies might at 
least require from i]\& parliament of Great Britain 
some evidence, that this dreadiVil authority over 
them has been granted to that body. Bit a rever- 
ence for our great Creator, principles of humanity, 
A 



^ AMjEKieA> B10O3?AriliCAL BlCTIONAItY. 

and the dictates of common sense, must convince 
ail those who reflect upon tlie suhject, tliat govern- 
^ncnt was instituted to promote the welfare of man- 
kind, and ought to he administered for tlic attain- 
ment of that end. The legislature of Great Britain, 
however, stimulated h}- an inordinate passion for a 
power not only unjustifiable, but which they know 
to be peculiarly reprobated by the very constitution 
of that kingdom, and desperate of success in any 
mode of contest, whei*e regard should be had to 
truth, law^ or right, have at length, deserting those, 
attempted to effect their cruel and impolitic pur- 
pose of enslaving these Colonies by violence, and 
have thereby rendered it necessary for ns to close 
with their last appeal from reason to arms. Yet, 
however blinded that assembly may be, by their 
int4:'mperate rage for unlimited domination, so to 
slight justice and the opinion of mankind, we esteem 
ourselves bound by obligations of respect to the 
rest of the world, to make know n the justice of our 
cause. 

Our forefathers, inhabitants of the island of Great 
Britain, left their native land, to seek on these 
shores a residence for civil and religious freedom. 
At the expense of their blood, at the hazard of 
their fortunes, without the least charge to tlie coun- 
try from which they removed, by unceasing labour 
and an unconquerable spirit, they effected settle- 
ments in the distant and iidiospitable wilds of A- 
Bierica, then filled with numerous and warlike na- 
tions of barbarians. Societies or governments, 
vested witli j)erfect legislatui^s, were formed un- 
der charters fi'om the crown, and an harmonious 
intercourse was established between the Colonics 
and the kingdom from which they derived their 
origin. The mutual benefits of this union ber^rine 
in a short time so extraordinary, as to ex(i' s- 
tonishment. It is universally confessed, thai ih% 
amazing increase of the wealth, strength, an^ n?.- 



AMERICAX BlOGKAPHiCAL DlCTiONAKY. 

yigation of the realm, arose from this source; ami 
the minister, who so wisely and successfully direct- 
ed the measures of Great Britain in tlie late war, 
publicly declared, that these Colonies enabled hei* 
to triumph over her enemies. Towards the con- 
elusion of that war, it pleased our sovereign to 
make a change in his counsels. From that fatal 
moment, the affairs of the Britisli empire began 
io fall into confusion, and gradually sliding from 
the summit of glorious prosperity, to wliich they 
had been ad\anced by the \irtues and abilities 
of one man, are at length distracted by the convul- 
sions, that now shake it to its deepest foundations. 
The new ministry finding tlie bra^ e foes of Britain, 
though frequenth/ defeated, yet still contending, 
took up the unfortunate idea of granting tlsem a 
hasty peace, and of tlien subduing her faithful 
friends. 

These devoted colonies were judged to be in such 
a state as to present victories v.itiiout bloodshed,, 
and all th.e easy emoluments of statuteable plunder. 
The uninterrupted tenor of their peaceable and re^ 
spectful behaviour from the beginning of coloniza- 
tion, their dutiful, zealous, and useful services dur- 
ing the v»ar, though so recently and amply acknow- 
ledged in the most honourable manner by his ma-, 
jesty, by the late king, and by parliament, could 
not save them from the meditated innovations. 
Parliament was influenced to adopt the pernicious 
])r()ject, and assuming a new power over them, 
have in the course of eleven years given such deci- 
si\ e specimens of tlie spirit and consequences at- 
tending this power, as to leave no doubt concerning 
the effects of acquiescence under it. They have 
undertaken to give and grant our money without 
our consent, tliough we have ever exercised an ex- 
clusive right to dispose of our own property ; sta- 
•Nites have been passed for extending the jurisdic- 
rioji of courts of admiralty and vicc-admiraltv bf- 



4 AMEllICAN BIOGRAPHICAL DICTION Ail V. 

yond tlicir ancient limits ; for dc])riving us of tUe 
accustomed and inestimable privilege of trial by 
jury, in cases affecting both life and property ; for 
suspending the legislature of one of- the Colonies ; 
for interdicting all commerce to the capital of ano- 
ther; and for altering fundamentally the form of 
government established by charter, and secured by 
acts of its own legislature solemnly confirmed by 
the crown ; for exempting the " murderers" of co- 
lonists from legal trial, and in effect, from punish- 
ment : for erecting in a neighbouring province, ac- 
fpiired by the joint arms of Great Britain and Ame- 
rica, a despotism dangerous to our very existence ; 
and for quartering soldiers upon the Colonists in 
time of profound peace. It has also been resolved 
in parliament, that Colonists charged v^ith commit- 
ting certain offences, shall be transported to En- 
glaiid to be tried. 

But why should we enumerate our injuries in 
tletaiir By one statute it is declared, that parlia- 
ment can **of right make laws to bind us in all 
cases whatsoever.'* V/iiat is to defend us against 
so enormous, so unlimited a power? Not a single 
man of those who assume it, is chosen by us; oris 
subject to our control or iniluence; but, on the con- 
ti'ai'v, tliey arc all of them exempt from the opera- 
tion of such laws, and an American revenue, if not 
diverted from the ostensible purposes for which it 
is raised, would actually lighten their own burdens 
in proportion as they increase ours. We saw the 
misery to which such despotism would reduce us. 
We for ten years incessantly and ineffectually be- 
sieged the tlirone as supplicants; wc reasoned, Ave 
I'cnionstrated with parliament in the most mild and 
decent language. 

Administi'ation sensible that we should regard 
these oppressive measures as freemen ought to do, 
ser.t over fleets and armies to enforce them. The 
indignation of tlie Americans was roused, it is true; 



AMERICAN BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY. 5 

but it was the imligiiation of a virtuous, loyal, mid 
affectionate people. A Congress of delegates from 
the United Colonies was assemhled at Philadel- 
phia, on tlie fifth day of last Septemher. ^YG re- 
solved again to offer an humhle and dutiful petition 
to the king, and also addressed our fellow suhjccts 
of Great Britain. Wc liave pursued every tempe- 
rate, every respectful measure; we have even pro- 
ceeded to break off our commercial intercourse, 
with our fellow subjects, as the last peaceable ad- 
monition^ that our attachment to no nation upon 
earth should supplant our attachment to liberty.^ 
This we flattered ourselves, w as the ultimate step oi 
the controversy : but subsei^uent events have shewn, 
how vain was this hope of finding moderation i^ 
our enemies. 

Several threatening expressions against the Col- 
onies were inserted in liis majesty's speech; our 
petition, though we were told it was a decent one, 
and that liis majesty had been pleased to receive it 
graciously, and to promise laying it before his par- 
liament, was huddled into both houses among a- 
bundle of American papers, and there neglected. 
The lords and commons in their address, in tliy 
siionth of February, said tliat *^a rebellion at that 
time actually existed within the province of Mas- 
sachusetts Bay; and that those concerned in it, 
had been countenanced and encouraged by unlaw- 
ful combinations and engagements, entered into by 
his majesty's subjects in several of the other Col- 
onies' and therefore they besoug]it his majesty, 
tliat he would take the most effectual measures to 
enforce due obedience to the laws and authority of 
tiie supreme legislature." Soon after, tlie commer- 
cial intercourse of v^hole Colonies, with foreign 
countries, and witii each other, was cut off by an 
act of parliament: by another, several of them were 
entirely prohibiteci from the fisheries in the seas 
near their coast, on which they always depended 
As 



6 AMERICAN BIOGKAPHICAL DICTIONAlttr. 

for their sustenance; and large reinforcements of 
ahips and troops were immediately sent over to 
general Gage. 

Fruitless were all the intreaties, arguments, and 
eloquence of an illustrious hand of the most distin- 
guished peers and commoners, whonohly and stren- 
uously asserted the justice of our cause, to stay, or 
even to mitigate the heedless fury with which these 
accumulated and unexampled outrages were hur- 
ried on. Equally fruitless was the interference of 
the city of London, of Bristol, and many other 
respectable towns in our favour. Parliament 
adopted an insidious manoeuvre calculated to di- 
vide us, to establish a perpetual auction of taxa- 
tions where Colony should bid against Colony, ali 
of them uninformed what ransom would redeem 
their lives; and thus to extort from us, at the point 
•f the bayonet, tlie unknown sums tliat would be 
sufficient to gratify, if possible to gratify, ministe- 
rial rapacity, with the miserable indulgence left to 
tis of raising, in our own mode, the prescribed tri- 
fcute. What terms more rigid and humiliating 
could have been dictated by remorseless victors to 
conquered enemies ? In our circumstances to ac- 
eept them, would be to deserve them. 

Soon after the intelligence of these pix)ceeding& 
arrived on this continent, general Gage, who in; 
the course of t]ie last year had taken possession of 
the town of Boston, in the province of Massaclui- 
setts Bay, and still occupied it as a garrison, on 
the 19th day of April, sent out from that place 
a large detachment of his army, who made an 
unprovoked assault on tlie inhabitants of tlie said 
province, at the town of Lexington, as appears 
hj the affidavits of a gi'cat number of persons, 
some of whom were officers and soldiers of that 
detachment, murdered eiglit of the inljabitantSy 
and wounded many others. From thence the 
troops proceeded in warlike array to the towR 



AMSSSICAIf BIOGRAPHICAIi DICTION ABT. / 

•f Concord, where tlicy set upon aotlier party 
of the inhabitants of the same province, killing 
several and wounding more, until compelled to 
retreat by the country people suddenly assem- 
bled to repel this cruel aggression. Hostilities, 
thus commenced by the British troops, have 
been since prosecuted by them v/ithout regard 
to faitli or reputation. The inhabitants of Bos« 
ton being confined witliin that town by the 
general, their governor, and having, in order to 
procure their dismission, entered into a treaty with 
him, it was stipulated that the said inha!)itants, 
having deposited tlicir arms, with their own ma- 
gistrates, should have liberty to depart, taking 
with them their other effects. They accordingly 
delivei^ed up their arms: but, in open violation of 
konor, in defiance of the obligation of ti*eaties, 
which even savage nations esteem sacred, the 
governor ordered the arms deposited as aforesaid, 
that they might be preserved for their owners, t« 
lie seized by a body of soldiers; detained the great- 
est part of the inhabitants in the town, and com- 
pelled tlie few who Avere permitted to retire, t© 
leave their most valuable effects behind. 

By tliis perfidy, wives are separated from their 
husbands, children from their parents, the aged and 
the sick from their relations and friends, wiio wisk 
"to attend and comfort them ; and those who have 
been used to liv&in plenty and even elegance, are 
reduced to deplorable distress. 

The general, further emulating his ministerial 
masters, by a proclamation bearing date on the 
12th day of June, after venting the grossest false- 
hoods and calumnies against the good people of 
these colonies, proceeds to ^* declare them all, ei» 
ther by name or description, to be labels and trai» 
tors, to supersede tlie course of tlie common Iaw> 
and instead thereof to publish and order the use and 
exercise of the law martial.'* His troops have^ 



8 iMJlRICAX BIOGHAPHICAL DICTIwXART. 

biitclicTcd our countrymen, liavc wantonly burn*, 
Chailcstown, besides a considerable number oi' 
houses in other places ; our ships and vessels are 
seized ; the necessary supplies of provisions are in- 
tercepted, and he is exerting his utmost power to 
spreail destruction and devastation around him. 

We have received certain intelligence, tliat ge- 
neral Carleton, the go^ernor of Canada, is insti- 
gating the people of tliat province, and the Indians^ 
to fall upon us ; and we have but too much reasou 
to apprehend, that schemes liave been formed to ex- 
cite domestic enemies against us» In brief, a part 
of these Colonies now feel, and all of them are suro 
of feeling, as fi\r as the vengeance of administration 
can inflict them, the complicated calamities of fire, 
sworiL and famine. We are reduced to the alter- 
native of choosing an unconditional submission to 
Uie tyranny of irritated ministers, or resistance by 
force. The latter is oiir choice. We have counted 
file cost of this contest, and Jind nothing so dreadful 
as rolimtarif slavery. Honour, justice, and huma- 
nity forbid us tamely to surrender that freedorii 
which we received from our gallant ancestors, aiu! 
which our innocent posterity have a right to I'e- 
ceive from us. We camiot endure the infamy and 
guilt of resigning succeeding generations to thafc 
wretcliedness which inevitably awaits them, if we 
basely entail hereditary bondage upon tliem. 

Our cause is just. Our union is perfect. Our 
internal resources are great, and, if necessai'v, fo- 
reign assistance is undoubtedly attainable. Wo 
gratefully acknowledge, as signal instances of the 
BivinefavortoA'-ards us. that his providence would 
not permit us to be called ijito this severe contro- 
Tersy, until we were grown up to our present 
strength, liad been previously exercised in warlike 
operations, and possessed the means of defending 
ourselves. With hearts fortified with these aniuia- 
ting reflections, wc most solemnly, before God^ 



AMERICAN BlOGEAnilCAX QICTIOXAEY. 9 

and the world declare, that, exerting the utmost 
energy of those powers, which our beneficent 
Creator hath graciously bestowed upon us, the 
arms we haAC been compelled by our enemies to 
assume, we will, in defiance of every hazard, with 
unabating firmness and perseverence, employ for 
the preservation of our liberties : being with one 
mind resolved to die freemen rather than to live 

SXAVES. 

Lest this declaration should disquiet the minds 
of our friends and fellow-subjects in any part of 
the empire, we assure them that we mean not to 
dissolve that union which has so long and so hap- 
pily subsisted between us, and which we sincerely 
wish to see restored. Necessity has not yet dri- 
ven us into that desperate measure, or induced us 
to excite any other nation to war against them. 
We have not raised armies with ambitious de- 
signs of separating from Great Britain, and es- 
tablishing iiulepcndcnt states. We figlit not for 
glory or for conquest. We exhibit to mankind the 
remarkable spectacle of a people attacked by un- 
provoked enemies, without any imputation or even 
suspicion of offence. They boast of their privi- 
gcs and civilization, and yet protlcrno milder con- 
ditions than servitude or death. 

In our own native land, in defence of the free- 
dom that is our birth-right, and wliich we ever en- 
Joyed till the late violation of it : for the protec- 
tion of our property, acquii-ed solely by the honest 
industry of our forefathers and ourselves, against 
violence actually offered, we have taken up arms. 
\Ye sliall lay them down when hostilities sl^all 
cease on the part of the aggressors, and all danger 
of their being renewed sliall be removed, and not 
before, 

Witii an humble confidence in the merries of the 
supreme and im]iartial Judge and lluler of the uni- 
Terse, we most devoutly implore Ms Diviiie good;- 



10 AMERICAN UlOGKArUlCAL DICTI0.\AR1% 

iieSvS to protect us happily through this great coii- 
Hict, to dispose our a(l^ ersaries to reconciliation on 
reasonable terms, and thereby to relieve the cni'- 
pire from the calamities of civil war. 



IN CONGRESS, July 8, 1775. 

TO TIIK 

KING'S MOST EXCELLENT J^IAJESTY. 

Most Graciaus Sovereign^ 

We your majesty's faithful subjects of the Co- 
lonies of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, 
Rhode-Isiand and Providence Plantations, Con^ 
iiecticut, New- York, New- Jersey, Fennsylvanii^., 
the counties of New-Castle, Kent, and Sussex 
on Delav/are, Maryland, Virginia, North Ca- 
rolina, and South Carolina, in behalf of ourseh es 
and the inhabitants of these Colonies, who have de- 
puted us to represent tliem in general congress, in- 
treat your majcsty'vS gracious attention to this oiis* 
lunnble petition, 

Tlic union between our mother country and 
these colonies, and the energy of mild and just go- 
vernment, produced benciits so remarkably import- 
ant, and afforded such an assurance of their per- 
manency and increase, that the wonder and envy 
of other nations were excited, while they beiield 
Great Britain rising to a power the most extraor- 
dinary the world had ever known. 

Her rivals, observing that tliere was no pro- 
bability of this happy connection being broken 
by ci^il (Ussentions^ i nd appreliending its future 
effects, if left any longer viudisturbed, resolved to 
pre^ ent her receiving such continual and formida- 
ble accessions of >^'ealtli aiid ytrengtb. by checkinc 



ike growth of those settlements from which they 
were to be derived. 

In the prosecution of this attempt, events so un- 
fiiTorable to the design took place, that every 
friend to the interest of Great Britain and these 
Colonies, entertained pleasing and reasonable ex- 
pectations of seeing an additional force and exer- 
tion immediately given to the operations of the 
nnion, hitherto experienced, by an enlargement of 
the dominions of the crown, and the removal of an- 
4*ent and warlike enemies to a greater distance. 

At tlic conclusion, therefore, of the late war, the 
wiost glorious and advantageous that ever had been 
•arried on by British arms, your loyal Colonists 
feaving contributed to its success, by such repeated 
and strenuous exertions, as frequently procured 
t4iem the distinguished approbation of your ma- 
jesty, of the late king, and of parliament, doubted 
not but that they should be permitted, with the 
rest of the empire, to share in the blessings of 
peace, and the emoluments of victory and conquest. 

While these recent and honourable acknowledg- 
ments of their merits remained on record in the 
journals and acts of that august legislature, the 
parliament, undefaced by the imputation or even 
the suspicion of any offence, they wcm alarmed by 
a new system of statutes and regulations adopted 
for the administration of tlie Colonies, that filled 
their minds with the most painful fears and jea- 
lousies ; and to their inexjH'essible astonishment, 
perceived the dangei^ of a foreign quarrel quickly 
succeeded by domestic danger, in their judgment 
of a more dreadful kind. 

Nor were these anxieties alleviated by any ten- 
dency in tliis system to promote the welfare of 
tlieir mother country. For tliough its effects were 
more immediately felt by tiiem, yet its influence 
appeared to be injurious to the commerce and |«"0S- 
^^erit-v of Great Britain. 



]^2 AMJ:11ICAN lilOGRVririCAL JilCTIOXAia. 

Wc shall decline the imgrateful task of describ- 
ing the irksome variety of artifices, practised by 
many of your majesty's ministers, the delusive pre- 
tences, fruitless terrors, and unavailing severities 
that have from time to time been dealt out by them, 
in their attempts to execute tins impolitic plan, or 
of tracing through a series of years past, the pro- 
gress of the unhappy differences between Great 
Britain and these Colonies, that have flowed from 
this fatal source. 

Your majesty's ministers, persevering in their 
measures, and proceeding to open hostilities for 
enforcing them, have compelled us to arm in our 
own defence, and have engaged us in a controversy 
so peculiarly abhorrent to the affections of your 
still faithful Colonists, that when we consider whom 
we must oppose in this contest, and if it continues, 
what may be the consequences, our own particular 
misfortunes are accounted by us only as parts of 
•ur distress. 

Knowing to what violent resentments, and incu- 
rable animosities, civil discords arc apt to exaspe- 
rate and inflame the contending parties, we think 
ourselves required, by indispensible obligations to 
Almighty God, to your majesty, to our fellow-sub- 
jects, and to ourselves, immediately to use all the 
means in our powTr, not incompatible with our 
safety, for stopping the further effusion of blood, 
and for averting the impending calamities that 
threaten the British empire. 

Thus called upon to address your majesty on af- 
fairs of such moment to America, and probably to 
all your dominions, we are earnestly desirous of 
performing this oiflce, witli the utmost deference 
for your majesty ; and we therefore pray, that your 
majesty's royal magnanimity and benevolence may 
make the most favourable coiistructlons of our ex- 
pressions on so uncommo)! an occasion. Could we 
i'Cprcsent in their full force, the sentiments that 



aMEUICAN UIOGHAPHICAIi DICTIONARY. 



1 :\ 



agitate the minds of us^ your dutiful subjects, we 
arc persuaded your majesty v,ould ascribe any 
seeming deviation from reverence in our language, 
and even in our conduct, not to any reprehensible, 
intention, but to the impossibility of leconciling 
the usual appearances of respect, vvith a just at- 
tention to our own preser^ alion against those art- 
ful and cruel enemies, who abuse your royal confi- 
dence and authority, for the purpose of effecting 
our destruction. 

Attached to your majesty's person, family, and 
go^ ernment, with all devotion that principle and 
affection can inspire, connected with Great Britain 
by the strongest ties that can unite societies, and 
deploring every event that tends in any degree to 
weaken them, we solemnly assure your majesty, 
that we not only most ardently desire the for- 
mer harmony between her and these Colonies may 
be restored, but that a concord may be established 
between them upon so firm a basis as to perpetuate 
its blessings, uninterrupted by any future dissen- 
tions, to succeeding generations in both countries, 
and to transmit your majesty's name to posterity, 
jidorned with that signal and lasting glory, tliat 
has attended the memory of those illustrious per- 
sonages, whose virtues and abilities have extiica- 
tQi\ states from dangerous convulsions, and, by se~ 
curing happiness to others. ha,ve erected the most 
noble and durable monumente to their own fame. 

V>G beg leave farther to assure your majesty, 
iliat, notwithstanding tliC sufferings of your loyal 
Colonists, during the course of this present con- 
troversy, our breasts retain too tender arega^ dfor 
the kingdom from which we derive our origin, to 
request such a reconciliation as might, in any 
manner, be inconsistent with her dignity or her 
welfare. These, related as we are to lier, honor 
and duty, as well as inclination, induce us to siq)- 
poi-t and advance ; and the apprehensions thp-t now 
B 



14 AMERICAN BIOCiKAPilltAL lilCTIONAsyc 

oppress our hearts witli unspeakable grief, being 
once removed, your majesty will find your faith- 
ful subjects, on this continent, ready and willing 
iit all times, as they have ever been, with their 
lives and fortunes, to assert and maintain the rights 
and interests of your majesty and of our mother 
fountry. 

AVe therefore beseech your majesty, tliat your 
royal autliority and influence may be graciously 
interposed to procure us relief from our afflicting 
fears and jealousies, occasioned by the system be- 
fore mentioned, and to settle peace through every 
part of your dominions, with all humility submit- 
ting to your majesty's wise consideration, whether 
it may not be expedient for facilitating those im- 
portant purposes, that your majesty be pleased to 
direct some mode, by which the united applications 
of your faithful colonists to the throne, in pursu- 
ance of their common councils, may be improved 
into a happy and permanent reconciliation; and 
that, in the mean time, measures may be taken for 
preventing the farther destruction of the lives of 
your majesty's subjects; and that sucli statutes as 
more immediately distress any of youi' majesty's 
colonies, may be repealed. 

For, by such arrangements as your majesty's 
wisdom can form for collecting the united sense of 
your American people, we are convinced your ma- 
jesty would receive such satisfactory proofs of the 
disposition of the colonists towards their sovc- 
I'eign and parent state, that the wished for oppor- 
tunity would soon be restored to them, of evincing 
the sincerity of their professions, by every testi- 
mony of devotion becoming the most dutiful sub- 
jects and the most affectionate colonists. 

That your majesty may enjoy a long and pros- 
perous reign, and that your descendants may gov- 
ern your dominions w itli honour to thcmseives, and 
ha))piness to their subjects, is our sincere prayei*. 



AMERICAN EIOGEAl'HIC.U:* DICTIONAEY. IS 

IN CONGRESS, March 16, 1776. 

A PROCLAMATION. 

The Congress, considering the w arlikc prepa- 
1 ations of the British ministry, to siihvert oiu* inva- 
luable rights and privileges, and to reduce lis, by 
fire and sword, by the savages of the wilderness and 
our own domestics, to the most abject and ignomi- 
nious bondage ; desirous, at the same time, to have 
people of all ranks and degrees duly impressed with 
a solemn sense of God's superintending Providence, 
and of their duty devoutly to rely in all their law- 
ful enterprises on his aid and direction, do earnest- 
ly recommend that Friday, the 17th day of May 
next, be observed by the said colonies, as a day of 
humiliation, fasting and prayer ; that we may, with 
united hearts, confess and bcY>^ail our manifold sins 
and transgressions, a.nd by a sincere repentance 
and amendment of life, appease his righteous dis- 
pleasure, and, through the merits and mediation of 
Jesus Christ, obtain his pardon and forgiveness, 
humbly imploring his assistance to frustrate the 
ci'uel purposes of our unnatural enemies ; and by 
inclining their hearts to justice and benevolence, 
prevent the further effusion of kindred blood. But, 
if continuing deaf to the voice of reason and huma- 
nity, and inflexibly bent on desolation and wai', 
tbey constrain us to repel their hostile invasions by 
open resistance, that it may please the Lord of 
Hosts- the God of armies, to animate our officers 
and soldiers with invincible fortitude, to guard and 
protect them in the day of battle, and to crown the 
co]\tinental arms, by sea and land, with victory 
and success. Earnestly beseeching him to bless 
our CIA il rulers, and the representatives of the peo- 
ple in their several assemblies and conventions, to 
preserve and strengthen their union; to inspire 



16 AMERICAN BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY. 

tliem with an ardent, disinterested love of their 
country ; to give wisdom and stability to tlieir 
councils, and (iircct them to tlic most efficacious 
measures for establishing the rights of America on 
the most honorable and permanent hasis; that he 
would he graciously pleased to bless all the people 
in these colonies with health and plenty; and grant-, 
tliat a spirit of incorruptible patriotism, and of 
pure undefilcd religion, may universally prevail: 
and this continent be speedily restored to the bles- 
sings of peace and liberty, and enabled to ti'ansmit 
them inviolate to the latest posterity. And it is 
recommended to Cliristians of all denominations, 
to assemble for public worship, and abstain from 
servile labour on the said day. 



IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. 
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 

THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF THE THIR- 
TEEN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 

When, in the course of human events, it becomes 
necessary for one people to dissolve the political 
hands whicli have connected them with another, 
and to assume, among the powers of the eartli. the 
separate and equal station to which the laws of na- 
ture and of nature's God entitle them, a decent res- 
pect to tlie opinions of mankind, recpiires that they 
sliould declare the causes wliich impel them to the 
separation. 

We Isold these truths to he self-evident — ^that all 
men are created equal that they are endowed by 
their Creator v/ith certain unalienable riglits; that 
amorig these arc l>.fe. liberty, and the pur«'rt of 
happiness. That, to secure these rights, govern. 



AMfiUlCAN BlOGRArniCAL DICTiONAilV. iT 

meiits arc instituted among men, deriving tlicir 
just powers from the consent of the governed; that 
Avljcnevcr any form of government hecomes des- 
tructive of these ends, it is tlie right of the people 
to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new gov- 
ernment, laying its foundation on such principles, 
and oi^ganizing its powers in such form, as to 
them shall seem most likely to affect their safety 
and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate, 
that governments, long established, should not be 
changed for light and transient causes; and ac- 
cordingly all experience hath shown, tliat mankind 
are more disposed to suffer, while evils are suffer- 
able, than to light themselves by abolishing the 
forms to which they are accustomed. But when a 
long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing in- 
variably the same object, evinces a design to re- 
duce them under absolute despotism, it is their 
right, it is their duty, to throw off such govern- 
ment, and to provide new guards for their future 
security. Such has been the patient sufferance oi 
these colonies; and such is now the necessity which 
constrains them to alter tlieir former systems of go- 
vernment. The history of the present king of 
Great Britain, is a history of repeated injuries and 
usurpations, all having in direct object the esta- 
blisiiment of an absolute tyranny over tlicsc states. 
To prove this, let ikcts be submitted to a candid 
world. 

He has refused his assent to law s the most whole- 
some and necessary for tlie public good. 

He has for])i(] den his governors to pass laws of 
immediate and pressing importance, unless suspend- 
ed in tiieir operation, till his assent should be ob- 
tained ; and when so suspended, lie has utterly ne- 
glected to attend to them. He has refused to pass 
otiier laws for the accommodation of large districts 
of peoj)le, unless those peojde would relinquish the 
nght of representation in the legislature ; a right- 



18 AMEKICAN BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY. 

inestimable to tiicm, and formidable to tyrantff 
onlyc 

He bas called togetlicrlegislativebodies at places 
unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the repo- 
sitory of tbeir public records, for the sole purpose 
of fatiguing them into compliance with his mea- 
sures. 

lie has dissolved representative houses repeated- 
ly, for opposing, with manly firmness, his inva- 
sio?is on the rights of tf^e people. 

He has refused for a long time after such disso- 
lutiorts. to cause others to be elected r wliereby the 
legislative powers, incapable of annilnlation, have 
returned to the people at large, for their exercise, 
the state remaining, in the mean time, exposed to 
all the dangers of invasion from without, and con- 
vulsions wit^iin. 

He lias endeavoured to prevent the population of 
these states ; foi* that purpose obstructing the laws 
for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass 
others to encourage their migration liither, and 
raising the conditions of new appropriations of 
lands. 

He has obstructed the administration of justice, 
by refusing his assent to laws for establishing ju- 
diciary |)owers, 

H;^ has made judges dependent on his will alone, 
for tlie tenure of their offices, and the amount and 
payment of their salaries. 

He has erected a multitude of new ofiices, and 
sent hither swariiis of ollicers. to harrass our peo- 
ple, and eat out their substance. 

He has kept among us. in times of peace, stand- 
ing armies without tije conscr»t of our legislatures. 

He has affected to render the military independ- 
ent of, and superior to, t')e civil power^ 

He has combined witit others to subject us to a 
jurisdiction foreign to orr cor.stitution. and unac- 
knov> ledged by our laws giving his assent to their 
acts of pretended legislation : 



AMETIICAN BIOGPvAPHICAI. DICTION^AST. 19" 

For quartering large bodies of armed troops 
among us : 

For protecting them by a mock trial, from pu- 
nislmient for any murders which ihQy should com- 
mit on the inhabitants of these states : 

For cutting oif our trade with all parts of the 
world : 

For imposing taxes on us without our consent : 

For depriving us, in rnaiiy cases, of the benefits 
o^f trial by jury : 

For transpoi-ting us beyond seas to be trieil for 
pretended offences : 

For abolishing tlie free system of English laws 
in a neighbouring province, establishing therein an 
arbitrary government, and enlarging its boun- 
daries, so as to render it at once an example and 
fit instrument for introducing the same absolute 
rule into these colonies : 

For taking away our cliarters, abolishing our 
snost valuable laws, and altering, fiindamcntallyj 
the forms of our governments : 

For suspending our own legislatures, and declar- 
ing themselves invested with pov/er to legislate for 
us in all cases whatsoever. 

He has abdicated government here, by declaring 
lis out of his protection, and waging war against 
us. 

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, 
huvnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our 
people. 

He is at this time transporting large armies of 
foreign mercenaries to complete the Vvorks of death, 
desolation and tyi^anny already begun witli cir- 
cumstances of cruelty and perfidy, scarcely paral- 
lelerl in the mo^t barbarous ages, and totally un- 
wo> thy the bea'^ of a civilized nation. 

He has constrained our fellow citizens, taken 
capti e ^on the hig]* seas, to bear arms against tl^eir 
country, to become the ex'ecutioners of their 



50 AMERICAN BIOGRAPIIICAI. DICTlONARy. 

frieiuls and bretlireii, or to fall themselves by their 
hands. 

He lias excited domestic insurrections amongst 
ns, and ]ias endeavoured to bring on the inliabitants 
of our frontiers, the merciless Indian savages, 
wliose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished 
destruction of all agcs^ sexes, aiid conditions. 

In e^ ery stage of tliese oppressions we have peti- 
tioned for redi'ess in the most humble terms : oui* 
icpeatcd petitions Jiave been answered only by re- 
peated injury. A prince, whose cliaracter is thus 
marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is 
unfit to be the ruler of a free people. 

Nor have ^\ e been wanting in attentions to our 
British brethren, We have warned them, fi-om 
time to time, of attempts by their legislature to ex- 
tend an unwarrantable jurisdiction o^ er us. We 
have reminded them of the circumstances of our 
emigration and settlement here. >Ve have ap- 
pealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and 
wc liave conjured them by the ties of our common 
kindred to disavow these usurpations, which v» ould 
ine^ itably interrupt our connexions and correspon- 
dence. They too have been deaf to the voice of jus- 
tice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, ac- 
quiesce in the necessity wiiich denounces our sepa- 
ration, and hold them, as we hold tlie rest of man- 
kind, enemies in war, in peace friends. 

We, therefore, the representatives of the United 
States of America, in general congress assembled, 
appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world, for 
the rectitude of our intentions, do, in tlie name and 
by the authority of the good people of tliesc Colo- 
nies, solemnly publish and declare, that these Uni- 
ted Colonies are, and of right ought to be, ikeb 
AND INDEPENDENT STATES r that they are absolv- 
ed f' oin all allegiance to the British ci'own, and 
tliat all political connexion betv>een them and the 
state of Crreat Britain, is, and ought to be, totally 



AMERICAX BIOGRAPHIC A L i/ICTiOXARY. £1 

dissolved ; and that as free and independent states, 
they have full po^Ye^ to levy war, conclude peace, 
contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do 
all other acts and things which independent states 
may of right do. And for the support of this de- 
claration, with a firm reliance on the protection of 
Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each 
other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. 
The foregoing declaration was, by order of con- 
gress, engrossed^ and signed by the following mem- 
bers : 

JOHN HANCOCK. 
^"etv Hampshire. 
Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple. 

Matthew Thornton, 

Massachusetts Bay. 
Samuel Adams, Joliii Adams^ 

Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry. 

Rhode Island, (J-c. 
Stephen Hopliins, William Ellery. 

Coiinecticui, 
Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntingdon, 

Williara Williams, Oliver Wolcott. 

JS^exv Fork. 
William Floyd, Philip Livingston, 

Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris. 

*^^e7V Jerseij. 
Richard Stockton, John WitlierspooU; 
Francis Hopkinson, John Hart. 
Abraliam Clark, 

Fennsylvania. 
Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, 

Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, 
George Clymcr, James Smith, 

George Taylor, James Wilson, 

George Ross, 

Delaware, 
Cesar Rodjiey, George Read- 

Thomas M'Keaii. 



9^^l AMERICAX BIOGKAPIIICAL DICTIONARY* 

Marifland, 

Samuel Chase, William Paca, 

Thomas Stone, Cliarles Carroll, Carrlta. 

Virginia, 

George Wytlie, Richard Henry Lee, 

Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, 

Thomas Nelson, jr. Francis Liglitfoot Lee. 

Carter Braxton, 

JVor/A Carolina, 

AYilliam Hooper, Joseph Hewe«. 

John Penn, 

South Carolina* 

Edward Rntledge, Thomas Heyward, jr. 

Thomas Lynch, jr. Arthur Middleton. 
Georgia, 

Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall. 

Gfoi-ge >yalton, 

Resolved, That copies of the declaration be sent 
to the several assemblies, conventions and commit- 
tees or councils of safety, and to the several com- 
manding officers of the continental troops ; that it 
be proclaimed in each of the United States, and at 
the head of the army^ 

It will be seen that Congress was, from the be- 
ginning, attentive to th.e commemoration of tlic de- 
claration of Independence. It appears by tlie jour- 
nals, that in the year 1777, an a(?journincnt took 
place from Thursday, the Sd of July, to Saturday, 
the 5 th. And, on the 9.4th of June, 1778 Congress 
ha> ing determined to adjourn from York Town, in 
Peimsylvania, to meet at Philadelphia on the 2d of 
July following, ])asscd the subjoined resolution in 
w hicJi it was farther resolved, that congress would, 
in a body, attend divine woiship on Sunday, the 
5th day of July, to return thanks for the divine 
mercy, in su])porting the independence of tiie states, 
and that the ( lii^plalns shouh:] be notified to oiliciate 
and preacli sprivon-^; j^iiite-' to the occasion ' 

liesolvedf That a committee of three be appoint- 



AiBEmCAN BIOGRAMIICAi DieTIOKARY. 2S 

rd to take proper measures for a public celebration 
of tlie anniversary of independence at Philadelpliia, 
on tlie 4th day of July next ; and that they be au- 
thorised and directed to invite the president and 
council, and speaker of the assembly of the com- 
monwealth of Pennsylvania, and such otlier gen- 
tlemen and strangers of distinction, as they shall 
deem proper. 



IN CONGRESS, November 1, 1777. 

A PROCLAMATION. 

Forasmuch as it is the indispensible duty of all 
men to adore tlie superintending Providence of Al- 
migiity God ; to acknowledge, with gratitude, tlieir 
obligation to him for benefits received, anil to i.n- 
plore such fartlier blessings as they stand in need 
of; and it having please I Him, in liis abundant 
mercy, not only to continue to ViS the innume^'able 
bounties of his common providence, but also smile 
upon us ill the prosecution of a just and iiecessary 
war, for the defence and estp/oliskment (?f our un- 
alienable rights and li\)ert s ; ]). vticijlarly in that 
he hath been pleased in s.> great a rne^^^surc to pros- 
per the means used for tijc support of our traops, 
and to crown our ar?ns with most signal success : 
it is therefore recommended to the legislative or 
executive powers of these Ui'J e ^ States, to set 
apart Thursday, the iBth ■ . of December 'lext, 
for solemn tha^nksgiving and praise ; that wit- j:ie 
heart and one voice, tlie g ;o 1 people may ex;i -ess 
the grateful feelings of t^ieir lioarts, and con v rate 
themselves to the service of their Divine Bviiefac- 
tor and that together with their sincere acknow- 
ledgments and oiT^^ririgs, they may join the nejii- 
tent confession of their manifold sins, wlieveb" Lhey 
iiiad forfeited everv favour and their humble and 



24 AMJiRItAX iJlOGKAriiiCAi IJi(. j 10a ii i . 

earnest supplication that it may please God, through 
the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifuily to foigive and 
blot them out of remembrance ; that it may please 
bin) graciously to afford bis blessings on the gcyj- 
vcinments of these states respectively, and prosper 
the public council of the whole ; to inspire our com- 
manders, both 1)} laml and sea, and all under them, 
with that wisdom and fortitude which may render 
them fit instruments, under the Providence of Al- 
miglity God, to secure for these United States, the 
greatest of alt blessings, independence and peace ; 
that it may please him to prosper the trade and ma- 
nufactures of tiie people, and the labour of tlic hus- 
bandman, that our land may yield its increase ; to 
take schools and seminaries of education, so neces- 
sary for cultivating the principles of true liberty, 
virtue and piety, under his nurturing hand, an*! t« 
prosper the means of religion, for the promotion 
iind enlargement of that kingdom which consistetb 
in righteousness, peace and joy in tlie Holy Ghost. 
And it is further recommended, tliat servile la- 
bour and such recreation as, though at other times 
innocent, may be ur.beroming the purpose of thi» 
appointment, be omitted on so solemn an occii- 
sion. 



IN CONGRESS, May 8, 1778. 

AN ADDRESS 

OJ the Congress, to the InhaUtanls oj ' ' Cr'led 

States of America, 

FHends and Cffiintrymcjiy 

Thuee years have now passed away, since the 
commencement of the present war. A war without 
parallel in the annals of mankind. It hath dis- 



AMERICAX BIOGRAPHIC AX DICTIONARY. i25 

played a spectacle, the most solemn that can possi- 
bly be exhibited. On one side, we behold fraud 
and violence labouring in the service of despotism ; 
on the otlier, virtue and fortitude supporting and 
establishing the rights of human nature. 

You cannot but remember how reluctantly we 
were dragged into this arduous contest ; and hov- 
repeatedly, v, ith the earnestness of humble intrea- 
ty, we supplicated a redress of our grievances from 
liim who ought to have been the father of his peo- 
ple. In vain did we implore his protection : In 
i ain appeal to the justice, the generosity, of En« 
glishmen ; of men, who had been tlie guardians, 
the assertors, and vindicators of liberty through a 
succession of ages : Men, who, vritli their sv/ords, 
■tad established the firm barrier of freedom, and 
mented it with the blood of heroes. Every ef- 
>rt was vain. For, even whilst we vrere prostrat- 
d at the foot of tlie throne, that fatal blow was 
struck, vhich liath seperated us forever. Tlais 
spurned, contemned and insulted ; tiius driven by 
our enemies into measures, whicli our souls abhor- 
red ; we made a solemn appeal to the tribunal of 
unerring wisdom and justice. To that Almighty 
Ruler of Princes, wliose kingdom is over all. 

We were then quitQ defenceless. Without arms, 
without ammunition, without clothing, without 
ships, without money, ^\ithout oflScers skilled in 
war ; with no other reliance but tlie bravery of our 
neople and the justice of our cause. We had to 
ontend with a nation great in arts and in arms, 
hose fleets covered the ocean, whose banners Iiad 
wa\ ed in triumph through every quarter of the 
globe. Hov/ever unequal this contest, our weak- 
ness was still far-ther increased by the enemies 
V, hich America had nourished in her bosom. Thus 
exposed on the one hand, to external force and in- 
ternal divisions ; on the other to be eompelled to 
drink of the bitter cup of slaverv, and to go sO'.'- 
C 



26 AMEillCAX BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIOXAU-^, 

Ti'owiiig all our lives long ; in tliis sad alternali\ (\ 
Mc chose tlie former. l"o this alternative \vc were 
I'cdiiced by men, avIio, had they been animated by 
one spark of generosity, would liave disdained to 
take such mean advantage of onr situation ; or, liad 
lliey paid the least regard to the rules of justice, 
vvouid have considere(l with abliori'encc a proposi- 
tion to injure those, who had faithfully fought tlieir 
battles, and industriously contributed to rear the 
<'dificc of their glory. 

But, hoAvever great the injustice of our foes in 
rommencing this war, it is by no means equal to 
til at cruelty with which they have conducted it. 
The course of tlieir armies is marked by rapine and 
devastation. Thousands, ^^ithout distinction of 
age or sex, have been driven from their peaceful 
abodes, to encounter the rigours of inclement sea- 
sons ; and the face of heaven hath been insulted by 
the wanton conflagration of defenceless towTis. 
Their victories have been followed by the cool mur- 
der of men, no longer able to resist ; and those who 
(^scaped from the first act of carnage have been ex- 
posed, by cold, hunger and nakedness, to wear out 
a miserable existence in tlie tedious hours of con- 
finement, or to become the destroyers of their coun- 
trymen, of their friends, perhaps, dreadful idea ! 
of their parents or children. Nor was tliis the out- 
rageous barbarity of an individual, but a system 
of deliberate malice, stamped with the concurrence 
of the British legislature, and sanctioned with all 
the formalities of law. Nay, determined to dis- 
solve tlie closest bonds of society, they have sti- 
mulated servants to slay their masters in the peace- 
ful hour of domestic security. And, as if all this 
were insufficient to slake their thirst of blood, the 
blood of brothers, of unoffending brothei's, they 
have excited the Indians against us ; and a gene- 
ral, who calls himself a christian, a follower of the 
snerciful Jesus, hath dared to proclaim to all the 



AMERICAN BIOGRArUlCAL DICTIOXARY. £1, 

world, his intention of letting loose against lis 
whole hosts of savages, whose rule of w arfare is 
promiscuous carnage ; who rejoice to murder the 
infant smiling in its mother's arms ; to inflict on 
their prisoners the most excruciating torments, and 
cxhihit scenes of horror fiom w hich nature recoils. 

Were it possihie, they would have added to this 
terrible system, for they have offered the inhabi- 
tants of these states to be exported by their mer- 
chants to the sickly, baneful climes of India, there 
to perish. An offer not accepted of, merely from 
the impracticability of carrying it into execution. 

Notwithstanding these great provocations, we 
have treated such of them as fell into our hands, 
with tenderness, arid studiously endeavoured to al- 
leviate the afflictions of their captivity. This con- 
duct we have pursued so far, as to be by them stig- 
matized with cowardice, and by our friends with 
folly. But our dependance was not upon man. 
It was upon Him, who hath commanded us to love 
our enemies and to render good for evil. And 
wiiat can be more wonderful than the manner of 
our deliverance ? How often have we been reduc- 
ed to distress, and yet been raised up ? When the 
means to prosecute the war have been w anting to 
lis, ha\ e not our foes themselves been rendered in- 
strumental in providing them ? This hath been 
done in such a variety of instances, so peculiarly 
marked almost by the direct interposition of Provi- 
dence, that not to feel and acknowledge his protec- 
tion, would be the height of impious ingratitude. 

At length that God of battles, in whom was our 
trust, hath conducted us through the paths of danger 
and distress, to the thresholds of security. It hath 
now become morally certa.in, that, if we have cou- 
rage to persevere, we shall establish our liberties 
and independence. The hauglity prince who spurn- 
ed us from his feet with contumely and disdain ; 
and the parliament which proscribed us, now de- 



-.1^ AMERICAN BIOGRAPHICAI. DlCTIONAllY. 

.,ccnd to offer terms of accommodation. Wliilsfe 
in the full career of victory, they pulled off the, 
mask, and avowed their intended despotism. But 
fia\ ing lavished in vain the blood and treasure of 
Their subjects, in pursuit of this execrable purpose, 
ihey now endeavour to ensnare us with the insidious 
oilers of peace. They would seduce you into a de- 
pendancc which, necessarily, inevitably leads to the 
most humiliating slavery. And do they believe 
rhatyou will accept these fatal terms? Because you 
liave suifered the distresses of war, do they suppose 
that you will basely lick the dust before the feet of 
Toui^ destroyers ? Can there be an American so 
lost to the feelings which adorn human nature? 
To the generous pride, the elevation, the dignity 
of freedom ! Is there a man who would not ab- 
hor a dependance npon tliose, who have deluged 
iiis country in the blood of its inhabitants? avc can- 
not suppose this, neither is it possible tliat they 
themsei\es can expect to make many converts. — 
What then is their intention? Is it not to lull you 
with tlie fallacious hopes of peace^ until tliey can 
assemble new armies to prosecute their nefarious 
designs? If this is not the case, why do they strain 
every nerve to levy men throughout tlieii* islands? 
Why do they meanly court every little tyrant of 
Europe to sell tliem his unhappy slaves? Why do 
they continue to embitter the minds of tlie savages 
against you ? Surely this is not the way to con- 
■ iliatc the afTections of America. Be not, therefore, 
deceived. You have still to expect one severe con- 
Oict. Your foreign alliances, though they secure 
your independence, cannot secure your country 
from desolation, your habitations from plunder, 
voiir wives from insult or violation, nor your chil- 
di*eu from butchery. Foiled in their principal de- 
sign, you must expect to feel tlie rage of disappoint- 
ed ambition. Arise then ! to your tents ! and gird 
you for battle. It is time to inni tlic lieadloBg 



AMERICAN BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIOIS ART. 29 

current of vengeance upon tlie head of the destroy- 
er. They have filled up the measure of their 
abominations, and like ripe fruit must soon drop 
from the tree. Although much is done, yet mucli 
remains to do. Expect not peace, whilst any cor- 
ner of America is in possession of your foes. Yon 
must drive them away from the land of promise, a 
land flowing indeed with milk and honey. Your 
brethren at the extremities of the continent, al- 
ready implore your friendship and protection. It 
is your duty to grant their request. They hunger 
and thirst after liberty. Be it yours to dispense 
the heavenly gift. And what is there now to pre- 
vent it ? 

After the unremitted efforts of our enemies, we 
are stronger than before. Nor can the wicked 
emissaries, who so assiduously labour to promote 
tlieir cause, point out any one reason to sujppose 
that we shall not receive daily accessions of 
strength. They tell you, it is true, that your mo- 
ney is of no value* and your debts so enormous 
they can never be paid. But we tell you, that if 
Britain prosecutes the war another campaign, that 
single campaign will cost her more than we have 
hitherto expended. And yet these men would pre- 
vail upon you to take up that immense load, and 
for it to sacrifice your dearest rights. For, sure- 
ly, there is no man so absurd as to suppose, that 
the least shadow of liberty can be preserved in a 
dependant connexion with Gi^eat Britain. From 
tlie nature of the thing it is evident, that the only 
security you could obtain, would be, tlie justice and 
moderation of a parliament, who have sold the 
rights of their own constituents. And this slen- 
der security is still farther weakened, by the con- 
sideration that it was pledged to rebels (as they un- 
justly call the good people of these states) Avith 
whom they think they are not bound to keep faith 
hj any law whatsoever. Thus would you be cast 

c e 



30 AMERICAN BIOGRAPHICVX DICTIONAIii. 

bound among men, whose minds, by your vii-tuous 
resistance, have been sharpened to the keenest edge 
of revenge. Thus would your cliildren and your 
children's children, be by you forced to a partici- 
pation of all their debts, their wars, tljeir luxuries^ 
and their crimes. And this mad, tiiis impious sys- 
tem, they would lead you to adopt, because of the 
dcrar.gement of your finances. 

It becomes you deeply to reflect on this subject. 
Is there a country upon earth, which hath such re- 
sources for the payment of her debts, as America ? 
Such an extensive territory ; so fertile, so blessed 
m its climate and productions. Surely there is 
none. Neither is there any. to whicli the wise Eu- 
ropeans will sooner confide tlieir property. What 
then are the reasons that your money hath deprc- 
cip.tcd ? Because no taxes have been imposed to 
carry on the war. Because your commerce hath 
been interrupted by your enemies fleets. Because 
their armies have ravaged and desolated a part of 
yo'j.r country. Because their agents have villainous- 
ly counterfeited your bills. Because extortioners 
among you, inflamed with the lust of gain, have ad- 
ded to the price of every article of life. And be- 
cause weak men have been artfully led to believe 
that it is of no value. How is this dangerous dis- 
ease to be remedied ? Let those among you, who 
have leisure and opportioiity, collect the monies 
which individuals in their neighborhood are desirous 
of placing in the public funds. Let the several legis- 
lat^iies sink their respective emissions, tliat so, 
there being but one kind of bills, there may be less 
danger of countcj feits. Refrain a little from pur- 
chasing those things which are not absolutely ne- 
cessary, that so those v^lio ha\ e engrossed commo- 
dities may suffer (as they desert edly will) the loss 
of their ill gotten hoards, by reason of the com- 
mere ' with foi-eign nations, which the fleets will 
protect. Above all, bring forward your armies 



AMERICAN BIOGKAPHfCAL UICTIOXARY. 31 

into the field. Trust not to appearances of peace 
or safety. Be assured, that unless you perse*, ere, 
you vill be exposed to every species of barbarity. 
But, if you exert tlic means of defence which God 
and nature jg^ave given you., the time will soon ar- 
rive, when every man shall sit under his own ^. ine 
and fig tree, and tlierc shall be none to make him 
afraid. 

The sweets of a free commerce with every part 
of the earth will soon reimburse vou for all the los- 
ses you have sustained. The full tide of ^> ealtli 
will flow in upon your shores, free from the arbi- 
trary impositions of tliose, wliosc interest and 
wiiose declared policy it was to check your growth. 
Your inteiests will be fostered and noui-ished by 
governments, that derive tlieir power frosn your 
grant, and will therefore be obliged, by the influ- 
ence of cogent necessity, to exert it in your fa- 
vour. 

It is to obtain these thins:s that we call for vour 
strenuous, unremitted exertions. Yet do not be- 
lie \e that you have been or can be saved merely by 
your ovvn strength. No ! it is by the assistance of 
Hea^ en ; and this you must assiduously cultivate^ 
by acts which Heaven approves. Thus shall the 
power and tlie hap])iness of these Sovereign, Free^ 
and Independent States, founded on the virtue of 
their citizens, increase, extend and endure, until 
the Almighty shall blot out all the empires of the 
earth. 

Resolvcih That it be recommended to the minis- 
ters of the gospel, of all denominations, to read or 
cause to be read, immediately after divine service, 
the above address to the inha.bitants of the United 
States of America, in their respective churches and 
ch apels, and other places of religious worship. 



32 AMERICAN BIOGKAruiCAIi DlGTIONAP.l. 

IN CONGRESS, October 30, 1778. 

By the Congress of the United States of America, 

A MANIFESTO. 

These United States having been driven to hos- 
tilities by the oppressive a<Hl tyrranous measures 
of Great Britain: haviiig hi^^n compelled to com- 
mit the essential rights of man to the decision of 
ai'ms' and having been, at length, forced to shake 
off a yoke which had grown too burdensome to bear, 
they declared thcmsel-\ es free and independent. 

Confiding in the justice of their cause; confiding 
in liim who disposes of linman events, although 
weak and unprovided, they set the power of tiieir 
enemies at defiance. 

In this confidence they have contiimed through 
the ^v arious fortune of three bloody campaigns, un- 
av ed by the jmwer, unsubdued by the barbarity of 
their foes. Tlieir virtuous citizens have borne, 
witliout repining, tlie loss of many things which 
make life desirable. Their brave troops have pa- 
tiently endured the hardships and dangers of a sit- 
uation, fruitful in both beyond fonner example. 

The congress, considering themselves bound to 
lo> e tlicii' enemies, as children of that Being who is 
equally the father of all: and desirous, since they 
could not prevent, at least to alleviate, the calami- 
ties of war, have studied to spare those who were 
in arms against them, and to lighten the chains of 
captivity. 

The conduct of those serving under the king of 
Great Britain hath, with some few exceptions, been 
diametrically opposite. They have laid waste the 
open country, burned the defenceless villages, and 
butchered the citizens of America. Their prisons 
liave been the slaughter-houses of her soldiers; 



AMERICAN BIOGIlAPHICAIi lilCTiONARY. o3 

ilieir ships of her seamen, and the severest injuries 
have been aggravated bv the grossest insults. 

Foiled in their vain attempt to subjugate the un- 
conquerable spirit of freedonij they have meanly as- 
sailed tlie representatives of America with bribes, 
Vvith deceit, ^and the servility of adulation. They 
have made a mock of humanity, by the wanton des- 
stFfiction of men ; they have made a mock of reli- 
gion, by impious appeals to God whilst in the vio- 
lation of his sacred commands ; they have made a 
mock even of reason itself, by endeavouring to 
prove that the liberty and iiappiness of America 
could safely be intrusted to those, who have sold 
their ov,n, unawed by the sense of virtue or of 
shame. 

Treated with the contempt which such conduct 
deserved, they have applied to individuals ; they 
have solicited them to break the bonds of allegiance, 
and embrue their souls vrltli the blackest of crimes,- 
but, fearing that none could be found through these 
United States, equal to the wickedness of their pur- 
pose, to influence weak minds, tliey have threaten- 
ed more wide devastation. 

While the shadow of hope remained, that our 
enemies could be ttiught, by our example, to res- 
pect those laws v/hich are held sacred among civi- 
lized nations, and to compl} with the dictates of a 
religion, which they pretend, in common witli us, 
to believe and to revere, they have been left to the 
influence of that religion and that example. But 
since tlieir incorrigible dispositions cannot be touch- 
ed by kindness and compassion, it becomes our du- 
tv by other means to vindicate the lights of huma- 
iiity. 

y^ e, therefore, the Congress of the United States 
of America, do solemnly declare and proclaim, 
that if our enemies presume to execute their thi*eats, 
or persist in tlieLr present career of barbarity, we 
will take such exemplary vengeance as shall deter 



34 AMERICAN BIOGRArniCAJi DlCTIONAlir. 

others from a lilcc conduct. Wc appeal to that God 
vrho scai'clieth the hearts of men, for the rectitude 
of our intentions ; and, in His holy presence, \vc 
declare, tliat as we are not moved hy any liglit and 
hasty suggestions of anger and revenge, so through 
evei'v possihle cliange of fortune wc will adhere to 
1his our dcteiinination. 



IN CONGRESS, October 26, 1781. 
A PROCLAMATION. 

Whereas, it hath pleased Almighty God, the 
father of mercies, remarkahly to assist and support 
the United States of America, in their important 
struggle for liberty, against the long continues ef- 
forts of a powei'ful nation: it is the duty of all r:M;ks 
to observe and tliankfully to acknowledge the in- 
terpositions of his providence in their behalf, — 
Througli the whole of tiie contest, from its first I'ise 
to this time, tlie influence of Di^ ine Providence 
may be clearly perceived, in many signal instan- 
ces, of which YvC mention but a few. 

In revealing the councils of our enemies, when 
the discoveries v/ere seasonable and important, iind 
the means seemingly inadequate or fortuitous : in 
preserving and even improving the union of the se- 
> eral states, on the breach of wliich our enemies 
placed their greatest dependence : in increasing ih.a 
numbei*, and adding to the zeal and attachment to 
the friends of liberty ; in granting remarkable dc- 
li^erances, and l)lessing us with the most signal 
success, when affaii-s seemed to have the most dis- 
couraging appearance : in raising up for us a pow- 
erful and generous ally, in one of the first of the 
European powers : in confounding the councils of 
fltur enemies, and suffeiing them to pursue such 



AMi:iilCAX BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIO^AKY. 35 

measures as have most directly contributed to frus- 
trate their own desires and expectations : above 
all, in making their extreme cruelty to the inhabi- 
tants of these states, when in their power, and their 
saA age devastation of property, the very means of 
cementing our union, and adding vigour to every 
effort in opposition to them. 

And as we cannot help leading the good people 
of these states, to a retrospect on tlie events wJiich 
have taken place since tlie lieginning of the war, so 
we recommend, in a particular manner, to their ob- 
servation, the goodness of God in the year now- 
drawing to a conclusion. In which the confedera- 
tion of the United States has been completed : in 
whicli thei'e ha^'e been so many instances of prow- 
ess and success in our armies ; particularly in the 
southern states, where, notwithstanding the diffi- 
culties with which they had to struggle, they have 
recovered the whole country whicli the enemy had 
overrun, leaving them only a port or two, on or 
near the sea ; in wliicli we have been so powci'fully 
and effectually assisted by our allies, while in all 
the conjunct operations tlie most perfect harmony 
has subsisted in all the allied army : in which there 
has been so plentiful a harvest, and so great abund- 
ance of the fruits of the earth of c^ cry kind, as not 
only enables us easily to supply the wants of our 
army, but gives comfort and iiappiness to the whole 
people : and in v, liich, after the success of our al- 
lies by sea, a general of tlie first rank, with his 
whole army has been captured by the allied forces 
under the direction of our commander in ciiief. 

It is therefore recommended to the several states, 
to set apart the tiiirteenth day of December next, 
to be religiously observed as a day of thanksgiv- 
ing and prayer; tliat all the people may assemble 
on that day, with grateful hearts, to celebrate tlie 
praises of our gracious benefa-ctor ; to confess our 
Dianifold sins; to offer up our most fervent siippli- 



30 AMERIC'AIV BIOGRArHI€AL liiCTIOXAPti. 

cations to the God of all grace, that it may 
please him to pardon our offences, and incline 
our hearts for the future to keep all his laws: 
to comfort and relieve all our hrethren \v])o are 
in distress or captivity ; to prosper our hus- 
handmen, and give success to all engaged in law- 
ful commerce ; to impart wisdom and integrity to 
our councillors, judgment and fortitude to our offi- 
cers and soldiers : to protect and prosper our il- 
lustrious ally ; and favour our united exertions for 
the speedy establishment of a safe, honourable and 
lasting peace ; to bless all seminaries of learning ; 
and ; ause the knowledge of God to cover the earth, 
as the waters cover the seas. 



IN CONGRESS, October 18, 1783. 

By the United States in Congress assembledi 

A PROCLAMATION. 

Whereas, it hatb pleased the Supreme Ruler 
of all human events, to dispose the hearts of the 
late belligerent powers, to put a period to the effu- 
sion of human blood, by proclaiming a cessation of 
all hostilities by sea and land, and tliese United 
States are not only happily rescued from the dan- 
gers and calamities to which they have been long 
exposed, but their freedom, sovereignty and inde- 
pendence, ultimately acknowledged. And where- 
as, in the progress of a contest on which the most 
essential rights of hviman nature depended, the in- 
terposition of Divine Providence in our favour hath 
been most abundantly and mod gloriously mani- 
fested, and the citizens of these United Stater* liave 
every reason for praise and gratitude to the God 
of their salvation. Impressed, therefore, with an 



AMERICAN BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY. 37 

exalted sense of the blessings by ^vliicli we are sur- 
rounded, and our entire dependancc on tliat Al- 
mighty Being from whose goodness and bounty 
they are derived, the United States, in Congress 
assembled, do recommend it to the several states, 
to set apart the second Thursday in December 
next as a day of public thanksgiving, that all the 
people may then assemble to celebrate with grate- 
A'ul hearts and united voices, the praises of their 
Supreme and all bountiful Benefactor, for liis num- 
berless favours and mercies. That he hath becR 
pleased to conduct us in safety through all the per- 
ils and vicissitudes of the war ; tliat he hath given 

• s unanimity and resolution to adhere to our just 
•ights ; that he hath raised up a powerful ally to 
: ssist us in supporting them, and hath so far crown- 
. d our united efforts with success; that in the course 
?f the present year, hostilities have ceased, and we 
are left in the undisputed possession of our liberty 
and independence, and of the fruits of our land, and 
In the free participation of the treasures of the sea: 
:hat he hath prospered the labour of our husband- 
men with plentiful harvests; and above all, that he 
hath been pleased to continue to us the light of the 
i;lessed gospel, and secured to us in the fullest ex- 
ient, the rights of conscience in faith and worshipr 
\nd while our hearts overflow with gratitude, and 
v>ur lips set forth the praises of our great Creator, 
>]iat we also offer up fervent supplications, that it 
aiay please him to pardon all our offences, to give 
,\ isdom and unanii.iity to our public councils: to 

cment all our citizens in the bonds of affection, 
and to inspire them vv ith an earnest rego.rd for the 
juitional honour and interest, to enable them to im- 
prove tlic days of prosperity by every good v. ork, 
viad to be lovers of peace and tranquility ; that he 
iiiay be pleased to bless us in our husbandry, our 
commerce, and navigation; to smile upon our semi- 

laries and means of education : to cause pure rcli- 



as AMEKICAN BIOGRAPHICAl^ DICTIONARl. 

gioii and virtue to flourish; to give peace to all na- 
tions, and to fill the world with his glory. 



GENERAL ORDERS 

ISSUED BY GENERAL WASHINGTON, TO THE ARMl 
or THE UNITED STATES. 

Head Quarters, Jlpril 18, 1783. 

The commander in chief orders the cessation of 
hostilities hetween the United States of America 
iind the king of Great Britain, to be publicly pro- 
claimed to-moiTOW at twelve o'clock, at the new 
building : and that tlie proclamation which will be" 
communicated herewith, be read to-morrow even- 
ing at the head of every regiment and corps of the 
army ; after which the chaplains, with the sevei'al 
brigades, will render thanks to Almighty God for 
nil his mercies, particularly for his over-ruling the 
wrath of man to his own glory, and causing the 
rage of war to cease among the nations. 

Although the proclamation before alluded to, ex- 
Tends only to the prohibition of hostilities, and not 
to the annunciation of a general peace, yet it must 
afford the most rational and sincere satisfaction to 
every benevolent mind, as it puts a period to a long 
and doubtful contest, stops the effusion of human 
blood, opens the prospect to a more splendid scene, 
and, like another morning star, promises the ap- 
proach of a brighter day than hath hitherto illumi- 
nated the western hemisphere. On such a happy 
day, which is the harbinger of peace, a day which 
completes the eighth year of the war, it would be in- 
gratitude not to rejoice; it would be insensibiiit^T 
not to participate in the general felicity. 



AMERICAN BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIOSTARY. $9 

The commander in chief, far from endeavouring 
to stifle the feelings of joy in his own hosom, offers 
his most cordial congratulations on the occasion to 
all the officers of every denomination ; to all the 
troops of the United States in general; and in par- 
ticular to those gallant and persevering men who 
had resolved to defend the rights of their invaded 
country, so long as the war should continue. For 
these arc the men who ought to he considered as the 
pride and boast of the American army; and who, 
crowned with well earned laurels, may soon with- 
draw from the field of glory to the more tranquil 
walks of civil life. While the commander in chief 
recollects the almost infinite variety of scenes 
through which we have passed, with a mixture of 
pleasure, astonishment, and gratitude ; while he 
contemplates the prospects before us v/ith rapturC;, 
he cannot help wishing that all the brave men, of 
whatever condition they may be, v>^ho have shared 
the toils and dangers of effecting this glorious re- 
volution ; of rescuing millions from the hand of op- 
pressiou; and of laying the foundation of a great 
empire, might be impressed with a proper idea of 
the dignified part they have been called to act, un- 
der the smiles of Providence, on the stage of human 
affairs ; for happy, thrice happy ! shall they be pro- 
nounced hereafter, who have contributed any thing, 
who have performed the meanest office in erecting 
this stupendous fabric of freedom and empire, on 
the broad basis of independency; who have assist- 
ed in protecting the rights of human nature, and 
establishing an asylum for the poor and oppressed 
of all nations and religions. The glorious task 
for which we first flew to arms being accomplished; 
the liberties of our country being fully acknow- 
ledged, and firmly secured, by the smiles of heaven 
on the purity of our cause, and the honest exer- 
tions of a feeble people, determined to be free, 
against a powerful nation disposed to oppress them; 



40 AMERICAN BIOGRAPHICAl. JDICTIOXARY. 

and tlie cliaracter of tliose who have porseverGil 
through every extveinity of hardship, suffering, and 
dangcis being immortalized by the illustrious appel- 
lation of the patriot army; nothing now remains 
but for the actors of this mighty scene to preserve a 
perfect unvarying consistency of character through 
the very last act; to close tlie drama w ith applause; 
and to retire from the military theatre with tiic 
same approbation of angels and men, which have 
crow ned all their former virtuous actions. For this 
purpose no disorder or licentiousness must be tole- 
rated. Every considerate and w ell disposed soldier 
must remember, it will be absolutely necessary to 
wait with patience until peace shall be declared, or 
Congress shall be enabled to take proper measures 
for the security of the public stores, &c. As soon 
as these arrangements shali be made, the general 
is confident, there w ill be no delay in discharging, 
with every mark of distinction and honour, all tlic 
Bien enlisted for the war, w ho will then have faith- 
fully performed tlieir engagements w ith the pub- 
lic. The general has already interested himself 
in their behalf; and he thinks he need not repeat 
the assurance of his disposition, to be useful to them 
on the present, and every other proper occasion. 
In tlie mean time, he is determined tliat no milita- 
ry neglects or excesses sliall go unpunished, while 
he I'ctains the command of tlie army. 

The adjutant-general will have such working 
parties detached, to assist in making the prepara- 
tions for a general rejoicing, as the chief engineer 
of the army shall call for; and the quarter-master- 
general w ill, without delay, procure such a number 
of discharges to be printed as will be suflicient for 
all the men inlisted for the war. He will please 
to apply to head rpiarters for the foim. An extra 
i-ation of liquor to be issued to every man to-mor- 
row to drink, "• Perpetual peace and happiness ta 
the United States of America.*' 



AMERICAI»f BIOGRAPHICAL DICflONART. 41 



FAREWELL ADDRESS 

OF GENERAI. WASHINGTON, TO THE ARMIES OF 
THE UNITED STATES. 

Rocky-Hill f near Princeion, J^ovember2, 1783. 

The United States in Congress assembled, after 
giving the most honourable testimony to the merits 
of the federal armies, and presenting them with the 
thanks of their country, for their long, eminent, 
and faitliful services, having thought proper, by 
their proclamation, bearing datetlie 18th of Octo- 
ber last, to discharge such part of the troops as 
were engaged for the war. and to permit the offi- 
cers on furlough to retire from service, from and 
after to-morrow ; which proclamation having been 
communicated in the public papers, for the infor- 
mation and government of all concerned, it only re« 
mains for the commander in chief to address him- 
self once more, and that for the last time, to the ar- 
mies of the United States, (hoAvever widely dis- 
persed individuals who compose them may be) and 
io bid them an affectionate, a long farewell. 

But before the commander in chief takes his 
fmal leave of those he holds most dear, he wishcvg 
to indulge himself a few moments in calling to 
mind a slight view of the past. He will then take 
the liberty of exploring, witli his military friends, 
their future prospects ; of advising the general line 
of conduct, which, in his opinion, ought to be pur- 
sued : and he will conclude the address, by expres- 
sing the obligations he feels himself under for the 
spirited and able assistance he has experienced 
from them, in the performance of an arduous 
office. 

A contemplation of the complete attainment, (at 
a period earlier than could have been expected,) of 
the object for which we contended, against so for 



42 AMERICAN BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIOZ^ARY, 

mitlable a power, cannot but inspire us with aston- 
ishment and gratitude. The disadvantageous cir- 
cumstances on our part, under whicli the war was 
undertaken, can ne\ er be forgotten. The signal 
interpositions of Providence in our feeble condition, 
were such as could scarcely escape the attention of 
the most unobsei'ving: while the unparralleled per- 
severance of the armies of the United States, 
through almost every possible suffering and dis- 
couragement, for the space of eight long years, 
was little short of a standing miracle. 

It is not in the meaning, nor within the compass 
of this address, to detail tlie liardships peculiarly 
incident to our service, or to describe the distres- 
ses, which, in several instances, have resulted from 
the extremes of hunger and nakedness, coml)ined 
with the rigours of an inclement season; nor is it^ 
necessary to dwell on the dark side of our past af- 
fairs. 

Every American ollicer and soldier must now 
console himself for any unpleasant circumstance 
which may have occurred, by a recollection of the 
uncommon scenes in which lie has been called to 
act no Inglorious part, and the astonishing eventfs 
of whicli he has been a witness—events which have 
seldom, if ever before, taken place on the stage of 
human action; nor can they probably ever happen 
again. For who has before seen a disciplined ar- 
my formed at once ftom such raw materials^ Who 
that was not a witness, could imagine that the most 
violent local prejudices would cease so soon, and 
that men who came from the different parts of the 
continent, strongly disposed by the habits of edu- 
cation, to despise and quarrel with each other, 
would instantly become but one patriotic band of 
brothers? Or who that was not on the spot, can 
trace the steps by which sucli a wondeiful revolu- 
tion has been cflccted, and such a glorious period 
put to all our w ariike toils ? 



AMERICAN BIOGHAPHICAI. DICTIONARY. 4S 

It is universally acknowledged that the enlarg- 
ed prospects of happiness, opened by the confirma- 
tion of our independence and sovereignty, almost 
exceeds the power of description : And shall not 
the brave men who have contributed so essentially 
to these inestimable acquisitions, retiring victori- 
ous from the field of war to the field of agriculture, 
participate in all the blessings wliich have been 
obtained? In sucJi a republic, who will exclude 
them from the rights of citizens, and the fruits of 
their labours? in such a country, so happily cir- 
cumstanced, the pursuits of commerce and the cul 
tivation of the soil, will unfold to industry the cer= 
tain road to competence. To those hardy soldiers, 
who are actuated by the spirit of ad^/enture, the 
fisheries will afford ample and profitable employ- 
ment; and the extensive and fertile regions of the 
west will yield a most happy asylum to those^ 
who, fond of domestic enjoyment, are seeking for 
personal independence. Nor is it possible to con- 
ceivethat any one of the United States will prefer a 
national bankruptcy, and the dissolution of the 
union, to a compliance witli the requisitions of 
Congress, and the payment of its just debts, so 
that the officers and soldiers may expect consider- 
able assistance, in recommencing their civil occu- 
pations, from the sums due to them from the pub- 
lic, which must and will most inevitably be paid. 

In order to effect this desirable purpose, and 
to remove the prejudices ^yhich may have ta- 
ken possession of tlie minds of any of the good peo- 
ple of tlie states, it is earnestly recommended to all 
the troops, that, with sti'ong attachments to the 
union, they sliould carry with them into civil so- 
ciety the most conciliating dispositions; and that 
they should prove themselves not less virtuous and 
useful citizens, than they have been persevering 
and victorious soldiers. What though there should 
bo some envious individualsj w ho arc unwilling to 



44 AMERICAX BIOGRAPHIC AX BIGTIONARY. 

pay the debt tlic public bas contracted, or to yield 
tbe tribute due to merit; yet let such unworthy 
treatment produce no invective, oi' any instance of 
intemperate conduct' let it be remembered, tliatthe 
unbiassed voice of the free citizens of the United 
States has promised the just reward, and given the 
mei'ited applause; let it be known and remember- 
ed, that the reputation of the federal armies is es- 
tablished beyond the reach of malevolence, and let 
a consciousness of their achievements and fame 
still incite the men who composed them to honour- 
able actions, under the persuasion, that the private 
virtues of economy, prudence, and industry, will 
not be less amiable in civil life, than the more 
splendid qualities of valor, perseverance and en- 
terprise, were in the field. Every one may rest 
assured that much, very much, of the future hap- 
piness of the officers and men, will depend upon 
the wise and manly conduct which shall be adopt- 
ed by them, when they are mingled with the great 
body of the community. And although the gene- 
ral has so freqiiently given it as his opinion, in the 
most public and explicit manner, that unless the 
principles of the federal government were proper- 
ly supported, and the powers of the union increas- 
ed, the honour, dignity, and justice of the nation 
would be lost forever : yet he cannot help repeat- 
ing on this occasion, so interesting a sentiment, 
and leaving R, a^ his last injunction, to every offi- 
cer and every soldier, who may viiiv/ the subject 
in tiie same serious point of light, to add his best 
endeavours, to those of his worthy fellow-citizens to- 
wards effi^cting these great and valuable purposes, 
on which our very existence, as a nation, so ma- 
terially depends. 

The commander in chief conceives little is now- 
wanting to enable the soldier to change liis milita- 
ry character into that of the citizen, but that steady 
and decent tenor of behaviour, which has general- 



AMEHICAN BIOGRAPHIC Ali DICTIONARY. 4 J 

ly (iistiiiguislied, not only the army under his ini- 
mediate command, hut the difierent detachments 
and separate armies, through the course of the 
war; from their good sense and prudence, he anti- 
cipates the happiest consequences, and while he 
congratulates them on the glorious occasion which 
renders their services in the field no longer neces» 
sary, he wishes to express the strong obligations 
he feels himself under, for the assistance he has 
received from every class, and in every instarice. 
He presents his thanks, in the most serious and af- 
fectionate manner, to the general officers, as well 
for their council, on many interesting occasions, as 
for their ardour in promoting the success of the 
plans he had adopted; to the commandants of regi- 
ments and corps, and to the other officers, for 
their great zeal and attention in carrying his or- 
ders promptly into execution; to the staff fortlieir 
alacrity and exactness in performing the duties of 
their several departments; and to the non-commis- 
sioned officers and soldiers, for their extraordinary 
patience in suffi^ring, as well as their invincible 
fortitude in action; to the various brandies of the 
army, tlie general takes this last and solemn op- 
portunity of professing his inviolable attachment 
and friendship. He wishes more than hare profes- 
sions were in his |)ower, that he was really able to 
be useful to them all in future life. He flatters 
himself, however, they will do him the justice to 
believe, that whatever could, with propnety, be 
attempted by him, has been done. And being now 
to conclude these, his last public orders, to take 
his ultimate leave, in a short time, of the military 
character, and to bid a hnal adieu to the armies he 
has so long had the honour to command, he can 
only again offer, in their behalf, his recommenda- 
tions to their grateful country, and liis prayers to 
the God of armies. May ample justice be done 
them here, and may the choicest of Heaven's fa- 



46 AMERICAN BIOGKAPHICAi DICTIONARY. 

vours, both here and hereafter, attend tliose, wli^, 
under the Divine auspices, have secured innume- 
rable blessings for others. With these wishes, and 
this benediction, tlie commander in chief is about 
to retire from service. The curtain of separation 
w ill soon be drawn, and the military scene, to hinij. 
will be closed forever. 



General Washington to the President of Congress on 
resigning his commission — December 23, 1783. 

Mr. President — 

The great events on which my resignation de- 
pended, having at length taken place, I have now 
the honour of oiTeiing. my sincere congratulations 
to congress, and of presenting myself before them 
to surrender into theii" brands tbf trust committed 
to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from 
the service of my country. 

Happy in the confirmation of our independence 
and sovereignty, and pleased with the opportunity 
afforded tlie United States of bec'oming a respecta- 
ble nation, I resign witli satisfaction the appoint- 
ment I accepted with diMdence; a diffidence in my 
abilities to accomplish so ardlious a task, which 
however, was superceded by a confidence in the 
rectitude of our c^use, the support of the supreme 
power of the union, and the patronage of Heaven. 

The successful termination of the war, has veri- 
fied the most sanguine expectations; and my grati- 
tude for the intei'position of Providence, and the 
assistance I have received from my countrymen, 
increases witheverv review of the momentous con- 



AMERICAN BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY. 4? 

While I repeat my obligations to the army iii 
general^ I should do injustice to my own feelings 
not to acknowledge in this place, the peculiar ser- 
vices and distinguished merits of the persons who 
have been attached to my person during the war. 
It was impossible the choice of confidential officers 
to compose my family could have been more fortu- 
nate. Permit me, sir, to recommend in particular, 
tliose who have continued in the service to the pre- 
sent moment, as Avorthy of the favourable notice 
and patronage of congress. 

I consider it as an indispensable duty to close 
this last solemn act of my ofiicial life, by com- 
mending the interests of our dearest country to the 
protection of Almighty God, and those who have 
the supei-intendence of them to his holy keeping. 

Having now finished tlie work assigned me, I re- 
tire from the great theatre of action; and, bidding 
an affectionate farewell to this august body, under 
whose orders I have long acted, I here offer my 
commission, and take my leave of all the employ- 
inents of public life. 



The Answer of General Mifflin^ the President of 
Congress f to the foregoing Speech, 

Sir — The United States in congress assembled, 
i^eceiA e with emotions too affecting for utterance, 
th« solemn resignation of the authorities under 
which you ha^e led their troops with success^ 
tlirough a perilous and doubtful^ war. 

Called upon by your country to defend its inva- 
ned rights, you accepted the sacred charge before 
H had formed alliances, and whilst it was without 
friends or a government to support you. 

You have conducted the great military contest 
ivith wisdom and fortitude, invariably i-egarding 



48 AMERICAN BIOGRAPHICAL BICTIO-V.OIY. 

the rights of the civil power tlirough all disasters 
and changes: you have, hy the love and confidence 
of your fellow citizens, enabled them to display 
their martial genius, and transmit tlieir fame to 
posterity; you have persevered, till these United 
States, aided by a magnanimous king and nation, 
have been enabled, under a just Providence, to 
close the war in safety, freedom, and independence; 
on which happy event we sincerely join you in 
congratulations. 

Ha^ ing defended the standard of liberty in this 
new world; having taught a lesson useful to tliose 
who inflict, and to those who feel oppression, you 
retire from the great theatre of action, with the 
blessing of your fellow citizens; but the glory of 
your virtues will not terminate with your milita- 
ry command? it will continue to animate remotest 
ages. We feel, witli you, our obligations to the 
army in general, and will particularly charge our- 
selves with the interest of those confidential offi- 
cers, who have attended your person to this affect- 
ing moment. 

We join you in commending the interests of our 
dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, 
beseeching Him to dispose the hearts and minds of 
its citizens, to improve the opportunity afforded 
them, of becoming a happy aiul rcpectable nation; 
and for you, we address to Him our earnest 
prayers, that a life so beloved may be fostered 
with all His care: That your days may be happy, 
as thej have been illustrious, and that He will 
finally give you that reward \\ liicli the world can- 
not give. 



ADAMS. 49 

ADAMSj SAMrEiy one of the most distinguish- 
ed patriots of the American revolution, was born 
In Boston, Massachusetts, on the 22(1 of Septemhery 
1722. His ancestors were among the first settlers 
in New England. His parents were highly re- 
spectable. His father was, for many years, a re- 
presentative for the to\n\ of Boston, in the Massa- 
chusetts house of Assembl} , in which he was annu- 
ally elected till his death. 

Samuel Adams received ihc rudiments of a libe- 
ral education at the grammar school under the 
care of Mr. Lovell, where he was remarkably at- 
tentive to his studies. His conduct was similar 
while he was at college, and during the whole term 
lie Jiad to pay but one fine, and this was for not at- 
tending morning prayers, in consequence of having 
overslept himself. By a close and steady applica- 
tion, he made considerable proficiency in classical 
learning, logic, and natural phiiosophy : but as lie 
was designed for the ministry, a profession to 
which he seems to have been much inclined, liis 
studies were particularly directed to systematic di- 
vinity. Why Mr. Adams did not assume t]ie cleri- 
cal character, so congenial to his views and habits 
does not apjwar. In 1740, and 1743, the respec- 
tive degrees of bachelor and master of aits were 
conferred upon him. On the latter occasion, ho 
proposed the following (piestion for discussion, 
"^^ whether it be lawful to resist the supreme magis- 
trate, if the commonwealth cannot otherwise be 
preserved?-' He maintained the affirmative of this 
proposition, and thus evinced, at this period of his 
life, his attacliment to the liberties of the people. 
While he was a student, ]iis father allovvcd him a 
regular stipend. Of this, lie saved a sufficient sum, 
"0 publish, at his own expense^ a pamphlet, called 
*'* Englishmen's Rights." 

He was put an apprentice to the late TIsomas 
Cusliing, an eminent merchant. For this profes- 



^^ ADAMS. 

sion he ^^as ill adapted, and it received Lut a small 
share of his attention. The study of politics ^vas 
his chief delight. At this time he formed a club, 
each member of which agreed to furnish apolitical 
essay for a newspaper called the Indepen(lent Ad- 
vertiser. These essays hrought the writers into 
notice, who were called, in derision, *' the Whip- 
ping Post Club,*' 

His limited knowledge of commerce rendered 
him incompetent to support himself by that pur- 
suit. His father, however, gave him a considera- 
ble capital, with which he commenced business. 
He had not been long in trade when lie credited 
one of his countrymen with a sum of money. This 
person, soon after, met with heavy calamities, 
which he represented to Mr. Adams, who nevei- 
demanded the amount, although it was nearly half 
the value of his original stock. This, and other 
losses, soon consumed all he had* 

At the age of twenty-five, his fatlier died, and^ 
as he was the oldest son, tlie care of the family 
and management of the estate, devolved upon hiiiK 

Early distinguished hy talents, as a writer, his 
lirst attempts were proofs of his filial piety. By 
his efforts he preserved the estate of his fathei*, 
which had been attached on account of an engage- 
ment in the land bank bubble. He became a polit- 
ical writer during the administration of Shirley, 
to ^^ hich he was opposed, as he thought the union 
/of so much civil and military power, in one man, 
^vas dangerous. His ingenuity, wit, and pro- 
found argument, are spoken of with the higliest 
respect by those who were contemporary with liim. 
At this early period he laid the foundation of pub- 
lic confidence and esteem. 

It may be proper to mention that his first office 
in the town v, as that of tax-gatherer, which tlie 
•opposite party in politics often alluded to, and in 
their cojiti'ovcrsies would style liirn Samuel th*^ 



ADA^IS. 54 

Publican. While the British regiments were in 
town, the tories enjoyed a kind of triumph, and 
invented every mode of hurlesquing the popular 
leaders: hut, ^^llere the people tax themselves, the 
office of collector is respectahle: it vras, at that 
lime, given to gentlemen who had seen hetter 
days, and needed some pecuniary assistance, hav- 
ing merited tiie esteem and confidence of their fel- 
low townsmen. Mr. Adams was ill qualified to 
IVil an office wliich required such constant atten- 
tion to pecuniary matters; and, his soul being bent 
on politics, he passed more time in talking against 
Great Britain than in collecting the sums Caic. to 
the town. He grew emhavrassed in his circum- 
stances, and was assisted, not only by private 
friends, but by many oth.ers who knew him only 
as a spirited partisan in the cause of liberty. 

From this time, the whigs were determined t^ 
support him to the utmost of their power. He had 
been always on their side, was firm and sagacious, 
8?ie of the best writers in the newspapers, ready 
upon every question, but especially conversant 
with all matters which related to the dispute be- 
tween Great Britain and the colonies. 

We have said that there w^as a private political 
eliib in Boston, where decisive measures originated, 
wliich gave a secret spring and impulse to the mo- 
tions of the public body^ and that Mr. Adams was 
one of the patriotic conclave. This confederacy 
came to a determination to resist every infringe- 
ment of their rights. The stamp act was a flagrant 
violation of them, and to suffer it quietly to be car- 
ried into elfect, would establish a precedent, and 
encourage furtiier proceedings of a similar nature. 
Mr. Adams was one of those who opposed it in 
every step. He w^as not averse to the manner in 
which the people evinced their determinate opposi- 
tion, by destroying the stamped papers and office in 
Boston; but he higlily disapproved of the riots and 



^^ ADAMS. 

disorders wliicli followed, and personally aided tiie 
civil poAver to put a stop to them. 

The taxes upon tea, oil, and cGlours, were still 
more odious to the Americans tlian the stamj) ad; 
especially to the inhabitants of Boston, where the 
board of commissioners was established. The 
people looked to Mr. Adams as one of tlie cham- 
pions of liberty, wlio must stand forth against 
every claim of Great Britain, and deny the right 
of the parent state to lay a tax ; nor were tliey 
disappointed. He was so strenuous in his exer- 
tions to make the people sensible of their cliartei* 
privileges, that he obtained the appellation of the 
patriot Samuel Adams* 

in 1765, he was elected a member of the general 
assembly of Massachusetts. He was soon chosen 
clerk, and he gradually acquired influence in the 
legislature. This was an eventful time. But Mr. 
Adams possessed a courage which no dangers could 
shake. He was undismayed by the prospect, which 
struck terror into the hearts of many. He was a 
member of the legislature near ten years, and he 
was the soul vvhicli animated it to the most impor- 
tant resolutions. No njan did so much. He press- 
ed his measures with ardour; yet lie was prudent; 
he knew how to bend the passions of others to his 
purpose. 

The congress which assembled at New York, at 
this period, was attributed to a suggestion made 
by Mr. Adams. It has been said, with confidence, 
that he was the first man who proposed it in Mas- 
sachusetts. 

In consequence of the act imposing duties, in 
\7Q7, Mr. Adams suggested a non-importation 
agreement with the merchants. This was agreed 
to, and signed by nearly all of them in the prov- 
ince. They bound themselves, if the duties were 
not repealed, not to import^ or to order any, but 
certain enumerated articles, after the first of Jan- 
uary, 1769. 



ADAMS. 5S 

On the evening of the fifth of March, 1770, aii 
affray took place between the military quartered 
in Boston, and some citizens, which resulted in a 
loss of lives on both sides. On the following 
morning, a public meeting was called, and Samuel 
Adams addressed the assembly, with that impres- 
sive eloquence which was so peculiar to himseU; 
The people, on this occasion, chose a committee 
to wait upon the lieutenant governor, to require 
that ihQ troops be immediately withdrawn from 
the town. The mission, however, proved unsuc- 
cessful, and another resolution was immediately 
adopted, that a new committee be chosen to wait a 
second time upon governor Hutchinson, for the 
purpose of conveying the sense of the meeting in a 
more peremptory manner. Mr. Adams acted as 
chairman. They w aited on the lieutenant govern- 
or, and communicated this last vote of the town; 
and, in a speech of some length, Mr. Adams sta- 
ted tliQ danger of keeping the troops longer in the 
capital, fidly proving the illegality of the act it» 
self; and enumerating the fatal consequences that 
would ensue, if he refused an immediate compli- 
ance with the vote. Lieutenant governor Hutch- 
inson, with his usual prevarication, replied, and 
roundly asserted, that there was no illegality in 
the measure; and repeated, that the troops were 
not subject to his authority, but that he would di- 
rect tlie removal of the twentv-ninth regiment • 

Mr. Adams again rose. The magnitude of the 
subject, and the manner in which it was treated by 
lieutenant governor Hutchinson^ had now roused 
the impetuous feelings of his patriotic soul. With 
indignation strongly expressed in his countenance, 
and in a firm, resolute, and commanding manner, 
he replied, ^Hhat it was well known, that, acting 
as governor of the province, he was, by its char- 
ter, the commander in chief of Ins majesty's mili^ 
tary and naval forces^ and as sucli^ the troojps 



54 ADAMS. 

were subject to his orders; and if lie had the power 
to remove one regiment, lie had the power to re- 
move both, and notliing short of tliis would satisfy 
the people, and it was at liis peril, if the vote of 
the town was not immediately complied with, and 
if it be longer delayed, he, alone, must be answer- 
able for the fatal consequences that would ensue.'* 
This produced a momentary silence. It was now 
dark, and the people were w aiting in anxious sus- 
pense for the report of the committee. A confer- 
ence in wliispers followed between lieutenant go- 
vernor Hutchinson and colonel Dalrymple. The 
former, finding himself so closely pressed, and the 
i'allacy and absurdity of his arguments thus gla- 
ringly exposed, yielded up his positions, and gave 
his consent to tlie removal of both regiments ; and 
colonel Dalrymple pledged his word of lionour, that 
he would begin liis preparations in the morning, 
and that there should be no unnecessary delay, un- 
til the whole of both regiments were removed to the 
castle. 

At a very eaily period of the controversy between 
the mother country and the colonies. Mr. Adams 
was impressed with the importance of establishing 
committees of correspondence. In 1766, he made 
some suggestions on this subject in a letter to a 
friend in South Carolina : but it w as found to be 
either impracticable or inexpedient before tlie year 
1772, when it was first adopted by Massachusetts, 
on a motion of Mr. Adams at a public town meet- 
ing in Boston. This plan was followed by all the 
provinces. Mr. Adams's private letters may liaAC 
advanced this important woi'k. In a letter to 
Kichard Henry Lee, Esq. of Virginia, which, un- 
fortnnately, is without a date, is the following re- 
mark : ^* I \^ould propose it for your considera- 
tion, whether the establishment of committees of 
correspondence among the several towns in every 
colony, would not tend to promote the general union 



ADAMS. 55 

upon wliicli the security of the whole depends." — 
It will be remembered that the resolutions for the 
establishment of this institution in Virginia, Avere 
passed March 12, 1773, v/hich was more than four 
months subsequently to the time it had been formed 
in Boston. 

Every method Isad been tried to induce Mr. 
Adams to abandon the cause of his country, which 
he had supported with so much zeal, courage, and 
ability. Threats and caresses liad proved equallj 
unavailing. Prior to this time there is no certain 
proof that any direct attempt was made upon his 
virtue and integrity, althougli a report had been 
publicly and freely circulated, that it had been un- 
successfully tried by governor Bernard. Hutch- 
inson knew him too v,ell to make the attempt. 
But governor Gage was empowered to make the 
experiment. He sent to him a confidential and ver- 
bal message by colonel Fenton, who waited upoic 
Mr, Adams, and after the customary salutationSy 
he stated fne object of his visit. He said that 
an adjustment of the disputes which existed be- 
tween England and the colonies, and a reconcilia- 
tion, was very desirable, as well as im}>ortant to 
the interests of both. That he was authorized 
from govenor Gage to assure him, that he had been 
empowered to confer upon him such benefits a3 
would be satisfactory, upon the condition, that he 
would engage to cease in his opposition to the 
measures of government. He also observed, that 
it v/as the advice of governor Gage, to him, not to 
incur the further displeasure of his majesty; that 
his conduct had been such as made him liable to 
the penalties of an act of Henry VIH. by wliich 
persons could be sent to England for trial of trea- 
son, or misprison of treason, at the discretion of a 
governor of a province, but by changing his poli- 
tical course, he would not only receive great per- 
sonal advantages, but would thereby maJke his 



56 ADAMb. 

peace with the king. Mr. Adams listened wiin 
apparent interest to this reeital. lie asked colonel 
Fenton if lie would truly deliver liis reply as it 
should be given. After some hesitation he assent- 
ed. Mr. Adams required his word of honour, 
which he pledged. 

Tiien rising from his chair, and assuming a de- 
termined mariiu r, he replied, ^* 1 trust I have long 
since made my peace with the king of kings. 
No personal consideration shall induce me to aban- 
don the righteous cause of my country. Tell go- 
vernor Gage, IT IS THE advice of S ami el 
Adams to iiim, no longer to insult the feelings of 
an exasperated people." 

With a full sense of his own perilous situation,- 
marked out an object of ministerial ^ engeance, la- 
bouring under severe pecuniary cmbari'assment, 
but fearless of consequences, he steadily pursued 
xhe great object of his soul, the liberty of the peo- 
ple. 

The time required bold and inflexible measuies. 
Common distress required common counsel. The 
aspect was appalling to some of the most decided 
patriots of the day. The severity of punishment 
which was inflicted on the people of Boston, by 
the power of England, produced a melancholy sad- 
ness on the friends of American freedom. I'he 
Massachusetts house of Assembly was then in ses- 
sion at Salem. A committee of that body was 
chosen to consider and report tbe state of the pro- 
vince. Mr. Adams, it is said, observed, that some 
01 the committee were for mild measures, which he 
judged no way suited to the present emergency. 
He conferred with Mr. Warren, of Tlymouth, 
jpon the necessity of spirited measures, and then 
said. **do you keep the committee in play, and I 
will go and make a caucus by the time the evening 
arrives, and do you meet me." Mr. Adams secu- 
red a meeting of about five principal members of 



ADAMS. y; 

the house at tlie time specified^ and repeated his 
endeavours for the second and third nights, when 
the number amounted to more than thirty. The 
friends of tlie administration knew nothing of the 
matter. The popular leaders took tlie sense of the 
members in a private way, and found that they 
would be able to carry their scheme by a sufficient 
majority. They had their whole plan completed, 
prepared their resolutions, and then determined to 
bring the business forward; but, before they com- 
menced, tlie door-keeper was ordered to let no per- 
son in, or suffer any one to depart. The subjects 
for discussion were then introduced by Mr. Adams, 
with his usual eloquence on such great occasions. 
He was chairman of the committee, and reported 
the resolutions for the appointment of delegates to 
a general congress to be convened at Philadelphia, 
to consult on the general safety of America. This 
report was received by surprise and astonishment 
by the administration party. Such was the ap- 
prehension of some, that they were apparently de- 
sirous to desert the question. The door-keeper 
seemed uneasy at his charge, and wavering with 
regard to the performance of the duty assigned to 
him. At this critical juncture, Mr. Adams re- 
lieved him, by taking the key and keeping it him- 
self. The resolutions were passed, five delegates, 
consisting of Samuel Adams, Thomas Gushing, 
Robert Treat Paine, John Adams, and James 
Bowdoin. were appointed, the expense was estima- 
ted, and funds were voted for the payment. Be- 
fore the business was finally closed, a member 
made a plea of indisposition, and was allowed to 
leave the house. This person went directly to 
the governor, and informed him of their high- 
handed proceedings. The governor immediately 
sent his secretary to dissolve tlic assembly, who 
found the door locked. He demanded entrance, 
but was answered, that his desire could not be 



58 ADAMS. 

compliod with, until some important business, tlien 
before the house, was concluded. Finding every 
method to gain admission inelTectual, he read t!ie 
order on the stairs toi* an immediate dissolution oi' 
the assembly. Tlie order, however, was disiTgard- 
ed by the house. They continued their delibera- 
tions, passed all their intended measures, and then 
obeyed the mandate for dissolution. 

Tlic battle of Lexington, which took place on the 
19th of April, 1775, now announced the commencc- 
jnent of the revolutionary war, Adams and Han- 
cock were in Lexington the very nigltt the British 
troops left Boston. To gain possession of the pa- 
pers of Messrs. Adams and Hancock, who lodged 
together in the village, ^^ as one of the motives, it 
is said, of the expedition which led to that memo- 
rable conflict. The design, though covered with 
great secrecy, was anticipated, and the victims 
escaped upon the entrance of their habitation by 
the British troops. General Joseph Warren, who 
was the first victim of rank v>ho fell in the revolu- 
tionary contest with Great Britain, despatched an 
express, at ten o'clock at night, to Adams and 
Hancock, to varii them of their danger. A friend 
of Mr. Adams spread a report tliat lie spake wiUi 
pleasure on the occurences of the 19th of April — 
*• It is a fine day," said he, walking in tiie field 
after the day dawned. *' Very pleasant,'' answer- 
ed one of his companions, supposing liiin to be con- 
templating the beauties of the sky. ^* I mean," he 
replied, " this day is a oxopaous day for Amk- 
RiCA." So fearless was he of consequences, so in- 
trepid was he in the midst of danger, so eager to 
look forward to the lustre of e^ entstltat would suc- 
ceed the gloom which then involved the minds of the 
people. Mr. Adams had been a member of tlie 
continental congress the preceding year. In this 
situation lie rciulered the most important services 
to his country. His eloquence was well adapted 



ADAMS. 59 

to the times in which he lived. The energy of his 
language corresponded with the firmness and vi- 
gour of his mind. His heart glowed Avith the feel- 
ings of a patriot, and his elofjuence was simple, 
majestic and persuasive. He was one of the most 
efficient members of congress. He possessed keen 
penetration, unshaken fortitude, and permanent de^ 
vision. 

After many unavailing efforts, both by threats 
and promises, to allure this inflexible patriot front 
his devotion to the sacred cause of independence, 
governor Gage, at length, on the 12th of June, 
issued that memorable proclamation, of whicli th© 
following is an extract. "In this exigency of com- 
plicated calamities, I avail myself of the last effort 
witliin the bounds of my duty, to spare the further 
effusion of blood, to offer, and 1 do hereby in his 
majesty's name ofler and promise, his most gra- 
cious pardon to all persons, wlio shall forth witli 
lay down their arms, and return to the duties of 
peaceable subjects, excepting only from the benefit 
©f such pardon, Samuel Mams , ami John Hancock, 
whose offences are of too flagitious a nature to adr 
mit of any other consideration than that of condign 
punishment." This was a diploma, conferring 
^Teater honours on the individuals, than any other 
which was within the power of his Britannic ma- 
jesty to bestow. 

In a letter dated April, 1776, at Philadelphia, 
while he was in congress, to major Hawley of 
Massachusetts, he said, '' I am perfectly satisfied 
of the necessity of a public and explicit declara- 
tion of independence. I cannot conceive, what 
good reason can be assigned against it. Will it 
widen the breach? This would be a strange ques- 
tion after we have raised armies and fought battles 
with the British troops; set up an American navy, 
;permitted the inhabitants of these colonies to fit oiit 
aj^naed vessels to capture the ships, &c. beloning 



(,0 ADAMS. 

to any of tlie iiiLabitants of Great Britain; dociaring 
them the enemies of tlie United Colonies, and torn 
into shivers their acts of trade, by allowing com- 
merce, subject to regnlations tobc made by our- 
selves, with tlie people of all countries, except such 
as are subject to the British king. It cannot, 
surely, after all this, be imagined, that we consi- 
der ourselves, or mean to be considered by others, 
in any other state, than that of independence.'^ 

In another letter to James Warren, Esq. dated 
Baltimore, December 31, 1776, he said, * 4 assure 
you, business has been done since we came to this 
])lace, more to my satisfaction than any or every 
ihing done before, excepting tlie Declaration of 
Independence, whicli should have been made imme- 
diately after the 19th of April, 1775." 

The character of Mr. Adams had become cele- 
brated in foreign countries. In 1773, he had been 
chosen a member of the society of the bill of rights 
in London: and in 1774, John Adams and doctor 
Joseph Warren were elected on his nomination. 

Mr. Adams was a member of the continental 
congress w hen the declaration of independence was 
made. He was a w arm and ardent friend of that 
measure, and supported it with great zeal. 

In the year 1777, our patriots encountered many 
difficulties. It was at this critical juncture, after 
Congress had resolved to adjourn from Philadel- 
phia to Lancaster, that some of the leading mem- 
bers accidentally met in company with each other, 
A conversation in mutual confidence ensued. Mr. 
Adams, who was one of the number, was cheerful 
and undismayed at the aspect of affairs, while the 
countenances of his friends were strongly marked 
with the desponding feelings of their hearts. The 
Gonversation naturally turned upon the subject 
whicli most engaged their feelings. Each took oc- 
casion to express his opinions on the situation of 
#ie public cause. Mr. Adams listened in silence 



ADAMS. bi 

till they had fniislietl. He then said, '"• Gentlemen, 
your spirits appear to he heavily oppressed with 
our public calamities. I hope you do not despair 
of our final success ?" It was answered, '' That 
the chance was desperate." Mr. Adams replied, 
^^ if this he our language, it is so, indeed. If we 
wear long faces, tiiey will become fashionable.. — 
Let us hanish such feelings, and show a spirit that 
will keep alive the confidence of the people. Bet- 
ter tidings will soon arrive. Oar cause is just and 
righteous, and we shall never be abandoned by 
Heaven while we show ourselves worthy of its aid 
and protection.'*' 

At this time there w^ere but twenty-eight of the 
members of Congress present at Philadelpliia. 
Mr. Adams said, *'that this was the smallest, but 
the truest Congress, they ever had." 

But a few days had elapsed, when the news ar- 
rived of the glorious success at Saratoga, whicif 
gave a new complexion to our affairs, and confi- 
dence to our hopes. 

Soon after this, lord Howe, the earl of Carlisle, 
and Mr. Eden, arrived as commissioners to treat 
for peace, under lord North's conciliatory propo- 
sition. Mr. Adams was one of tlie committee ciio- 
sen by congress to draught an answer to their let- 
ter. In tliis, it is related, ^*That congress will 
i'eadily attend to such terms of peace, as may con- 
aist with the honour of an independent nation." 

In 1779, Samuel Adams was placed, by the state 
convention, on a committee, to prepare and report 
a form of government for Massacliusetts. By 
this committee lie and John Adams were appoint- 
ed a sub-committee to furnish a draught of the 
constitution. The draught produced by them was 
reported to the convcRtion, and, after some amend- 
ments, accepted. The address of the convention 
• o the people was jointly written by them 
In 1787, he was chogena member of tlie Massa 
F 



t.^ ADAMS. 

chusetts convention for tlie ratification of the coji- 
stitution of the United States. He had some ob- 
jections to it in its reported form; the principal of 
whicli Avas to that article which rendered tlie sev- 
eral states amenable to the courts of the nation. 
He thought that this would reduce them to mere 
corporations. There was a very powerful opposi- 
tion to it, and some of its most zealous friends and 
supporters were fearful that it would not be ac- 
cepted. 

Mr. Adams had not then given his sentiments 
upon it in the convention, but regularly attended 
the debates. 

Some of the leading advocates waited upon Mr. 
Adams to ascertain his opinions and wishes, in a 
pi'ivate manner. Mr. Adams stated liis objections, 
and stated that he should not give it his support, 
unless certain amendments wei'e recommended to 
he adopted. These he enumerated. Mr. Adams 
prepared his amendments, which vvcrc brought be- 
lore the convention, and referred to a committee, 
who made some inconsiderable alterations, with 
which the constitution was accepted. Some of 
these were afterwards agreed to as amendments, 
and form, at present, a part of that instrument. 

In 1789, he was elected lieutenant governor of 
ilie state of Massachusetts, and continued to fill 
that office till 1794, when he was chosen governor 
of that state. He was annually re-elected till 1797, 
w hen, oppressed witli years and bodily infirmities, 
}ie declined being again a candidate, and retired to 
private life. 

After many years of incessant exertion, employ- 
ed in the establishment of the independence of 
America, he died on the 3rd October, 180vS, in the 
82d year of his age, in indigent circumstances. 

Though poor he possessed a lofty and incorrup- 
tible spirit, and looked w ith disregard upon riches, 
if mi with contempt; while at the same time he 



ADAMS. 6^ 

did not attempt to disguise that reputation and 
])opiilar influence vrere the great ohjects of his am- 
bitioji. 

His private morals were pure, his manners grave 
and austere, and his conversation, which generally 
(urned on public characters and events, bold, de- 
cided, and sometimes coarse. Besides the occur- 
rences of the passing day, he is said to liave had 
tlirec topics of conversation on wliich he delighted 
to expatiate, and to have always dwelt upon with 
great earnestness ; British oppression, the man- 
ners, laws, and customs of New England, and the 
importance to every republican government, of 
public schools for the instruction of the whole po- 
pulation of the state. 

The person of Samuel Adams was of the middle 
size. His countenance was a true index of his 
mind, and possessed those lofty and elevated cha^ 
racteristics, which are always found to accompany 
true greatness. 

He was a steady professor of the Christian reli- 
gion, and uniformly attended public worship. — - 
His family devotions were regularly performed, 
and his morality was never impeached. 

In his manners and deportment, he was sincere 
and unaffected ; in conversation, pleasing and in- 
structive ; and in his friendships, steadfast and af- 
iectionate. 

His revolutionary la,bours v*'erc not surpassed by 
those of any individual. From the commencement 
of the dispute with Great Biitain, he was inces- 
santly employed in public service ; opposing at one 
time, the supremacy of ^^ parliament in all cases;" 
taking the lead in questions of controverted policy 
with the royal governors; writing state papers from 
1765 to 1774; in planning and organizing clubs 
and committees ; haranguing in town meetings, or 
filling the columns of public prints adapted to the 
spirit and temper of the times. In addition to these 



64 ' ADAMS. 

occupations, he maintained an extensi\c and labo 
lious correspondence with the friends of American 
freedom in Great Britain and in the provinces. 

His private habits, which were simple, frugal , 
and unostentatious, led him to despise the hixury 
and parade affected by the crown officers ; and his 
detestation of royalty, and privileged classes, 
which no man could have felt more deeply, stimu- 
lated him to persevere in a course, which he con- 
scientiously believed to be his duty to pursue, for 
the welfare of his country. 

The motives by which he was actuated, Avere 
not a sudden ebullition of temper, nor a transient 
impulse of resentment, but they were deliberate,, 
methodical and unyielding. There was no pause, 
no hesitation, no despondency; every day and every 
hour, was employed in some contribution towards 
the main design, if not in action, in writing; if not 
with tlie pen, in conversation; if not in talking, in 
meditation. The means he advised were persua- 
sion, petition, remonstrance, resolutions, and Vvheu 
all failed, defiance and extermination {iooner than 
submission. With this unrelenting and austere 
spirit, there Vv as nothing ferocious, or gloomy, or 
arrogant in his demeanor. His aspect was mild, 
dignified and gentlemanly. In his own state, or in 
the congress of the union, he was always the advo- 
cate of the strongest measisres, and in the darkest 
hour he never wavered or desponded. 

No man was more intrepid and dauntless, when 
encompassed by dangers, or more calm and un- 
moved amid public disasters and adverse fortune. 
His bold and daring conduct and language, sub- 
jected him to great personal hazards. Had any 
fatal event occurred to our country, by which 
she had fallen in her struggle for liberty, Sa- 
muel Adams v/ould have been the first victim of 
ministerial vengeance. His blood would have 
been first shed as a sacrifice on the altar of tyran- 



ADAMS. 65 

ny, for the noble magnanimity and independence, 
with which he defended the cause of freedom. But 
such was his firmness, that he would have met 
death with as much composure, as he regarded it 
with unconcern. 

His writings were numerous, and much distin- 
guished for their elegance and fervour; but unfor- 
tunately the greater part of them have been lost, or 
so distributed, as to render their collection impos- 
sible. 

He was the author of a letter to the earl of Hills- 
borough; of many political essays directed against 
the administration of governor Shirley; of a letter 
in answer of Thomas Paine, in defence of Christi- 
anity, and of an oration published in the year 1776. 
Four letters of his correspondence on government, 
are extant, and were published in a pamphlet form 
in 1800. 

Mr. Adams's eloquence was of a peculiar cliar- 
acter. His language was pure, concise, und im- 
pressive. He was more logical than figurative. 
His arguments were addressed I'ather to the un- 
derstanding, than to the feelings; yet he always 
engaged the deepest attention of his audience. On 
ordinary occasions, there was nothing remarkable 
in his speeches; but, on great questions, when his 
own feelings were interested, he would combine 
every thing great in oratory. In the language of 
an elegant writer, the great qualities of his mind 
were fully displayed, in proportion as the field for 
their exertion was extended; and tlie energy of his 
language was not inferior to the depth of his mind. 
It was an eloquence admirably adapted to the age 
in which he flourished, and exactly calculated to 
attain the object of his pursuit. It may well be 
described in the language of the poet, ^* thoughts 
which breathe, and words which burn." An elo- 
quencCj not consisting of theatrical gesture, or 
with the sublime enthusiasm and ardour of patri- 
F2 



uG ALLEN. 

otism; an eloquence, to which his fellow -citizen,-; 
listened witli applause and rapture; and little infe- 
rior to the best models of antiquity, for simplicity, 
majesty, and persuasion. 

Tlic consideration of the character of Samuel 
Adams, when taken in connexion with the uncom- 
mon degree of popularity which his name has ob- 
tained in this country, may suggest an important 
moral lesson to those of our youth, whom a gene- 
rous ambition incites to seek the temple of glory 
through the thorny paths of political .strife. Let 
them compare him with men confessedly very far 
his superiors in every gift of intellect, of education, 
and of fortune : with those who have governed em- 
pires, and swayed the fate of nations ; and then let 
them consider how poor and how limited is their 
fame, when placed in competition with that of this 
humble patriot. The memory of those men, tarnish- 
ed as it is by tlic history of their profligacy, their 
corruption, and their crimes ; is preserved only 
among the advocates and slaves of legitimacy, 
while the name of Samuel xVdams is enrolled among 
the benefactors of his country, and repeated with 
respect and gratitude by the lowest citizens of a 
free state. 

ALLEN, Ethan, a brigadier general in the re- 
volutionary war, was born in Salisbury, Connecti- 
cut. While he was young, his parents emigrated 
to Vermont. At the commencement of the disturb- 
ances in this territory, about the year 1770, lie 
took a bold and active part in favour of the Green 
Mountain Soys, as the settlers were then called, in 
opposition to the claims of the government of tlie 
state of New York. So obnoxious had he rendered 
himself, tliat asi act of outla^^ry against him was 
passed by the government oi* that colony, and 500 
guineas were offered for his apprehension ; but his 
party was too numerous and too faitliful, to permit 
liim to be disturbed by any apprehensions for 



ALLEN. 6'; 

Fiis safety. During the period that this sub ject was 
agitated, in all the stnvggles which it occasioned, 
and in which betook a part, he was uniformly suc- 
cessful. He not only proved a valuable friend to 
those, whose cause he had espoused, but he was hu- 
mane and generous towards those with whom he 
had to contend. When called to take the iield. he 
showed himself an able leader and an intrepid sol- 
dier. 

The news of the battle of Lexington determined 
colonel Allen to engage on the side of his country, 
and inspired him with the desire of demonstrating 
his attachment to liberty by some bold exploit,— 
While his mind was in this state, a plan for taking 
Ticonderoga and Crown Point by surprise, which 
was formed by several gentlemen in Connecticut, 
was communicated to him, and he readily engaged 
in the project. Receiving directions from the ge- 
neral assembly of Connecticut, to raise the green 
mountain boys, and conduct the enterprise, he col- 
lected £00 of the hardy settlers, and proceeded to 
Castleton. Here he was unexpectedly joined by 
colonel Arnold, who had been commissioned by the 
Massachusetts' committee to raise 400 men and ef- 
fect the same object, which was now about to be ac- 
complished. As he had not raised the men. he was 
admitted to act as assistant to colonel Alien. They 
reached the lake opposite Ticonderoga on the even- 
ing of the 9th of May, 1775. With the utmost dif- 
ficulty, boats were procured, and eighty-three men 
were landed near the garrison. The approach of 
day rendering it dangerous to wait for the rear, it 
was determined immediately to proceed. The 
commander in chief now addressed his men, repre- 
senting that they had been, for a number of years, 
a scourge to arbitrary power, and famed for their 
valor: and concluded with saying, '^Inowpro- 
po*^e to advance before you, and in person conduct 
you through the wicket gate? and you that will go 



68 ALLEN. 

with me voluntarily in tliis desperate attempt, poise 
your firelocks." At the head of the centre file he 
marched instantly to the gate, Adhere a sentry 
snap])cd his gun at him, and retreated through the 
covered way ; he pressed forward into the fort, and 
formed his men on the parade in such a manner as 
to face two opposite han'acks. Three huzzas 
a^^akened the garrison. A sentry, who asked 
quartei*, pointed out the apartments of the com- 
manding officer; and Allen, with a drawn sword 
over the head of captain De la Place, who was un- 
dressed, demanded the surrender of the fort. ^*By 
what authority do you demand it?" inquired the 
astonished commander. *'I demand it," said Al- 
len, ^*in the name of the great Jehovah and of the 
continental congress." The summons could not 
be disobeyed, and the fort with its very valuable 
stores and 49 prisoners, was immediately surren- 
dered. Crown Point v/as taken the same day, and 
the capture of a sloop of v/ar soon afterwards made 
Allen and his brave party complete masters of lake 
Cham plain. 

In the fall of 1775, he vvas sent twice into Cana- 
da to observe the dispositions of the people, and at- 
tach them, if possible, to the American cause. Du- 
ring this last tour J colonel Bi»own met him, and 
pi'oposed an attack on Montreal, in concert. The 
proposal was eagerly embraced, and colonel Allen 
with 110 men, neai' 80 of whom were Canadians^ 
crossed the river in the night of the 24th of Sep- 
tember* In the morning he waited vvith impa- 
tience for the signal of colonel Brown, v. ho agreed 
to co-operate with him: but he\^aited in vain. He 
made a resolute defence against an attack of 500 
men, and it was not till his own party was reduced, 
by desertions, to the number of 31, and he had re- 
treated near a mile, that he surrendered. A mo- 
ment afterwards a furious savage rushed towards 
liiRiy and presented his fireloek with fue intent of 



ALLEN. 69 

killing him. It was only by making use of the 
body of the officer, to whom he had given his sword, 
as a shield, that he escaped destruction. 

He was now kept for some time in irons and 
n*eated with great severity and cruelty. He was 
sent to England as a prisoner, being assured that 
the halter Vvould be the reward of his rebellion 
when lie arrived there. After his arrival^ about 
the middle of December, he was lodged for a short 
time in Pendennis castle, near Falmouth. On the 
8th of January, 1*76, he was put on board a fri- 
gate and by a circuitous route carried to Halifax. 
Here he remained confined in the jail from June to 
October, when he was removed to New York. 
During the passage to this place, captain Burke, 
a daring prisoner, proposed to kill the British 
captain and seize the frigate; but colonel Allen re- 
fused to engage in the plot, and was, probably, the 
means of preserving the life of captain Smith, who 
had treated him very politely. He was kept at 
New York^ about a year and a half, sometimes im- 
prisoned and sometimes permitted to be on parole.- 
While here, he had an opportunity to observe the 
inhuman manner, in whicli tlie American prisoners 
were treated. In one of the cluirches, in which 
they were crowded, he saw seven lying dead at 
one time, and others biting pieces of chips from 
hunger. He calculated, that of the prisoners taken 
at Long Island and fort Washington, near 2000 
perished by hunger and cold, or in consequence of 
diseases occasioned by the impurity of their pri- 
sons. 

Colonel Allen was exchanged for colonel Camp- 
bell, May 6, 1778, and after having repaired to 
head quarters, and offered his services to general 
Washington in case his health should be restored, 
he returned to Vermont. His, arrival on the even- 
ing of the last of May, gave his friends great joy, 
and it was announced by the discharge of cannon. 



ro ALEXANDER. 

As an expression of confidence in liis patriotism 
and military talents, lie was very soon appointed 
to the command of the state militia. It does not 
appear, however, that his inti'epidity was ever 
again brought to the test, ttioiigh his patriotism 
was tried by an unsuccessful attempt of the British 
1o bribe him to attempt a union of Vermont with 
Canada. He died suddenly at his estate in Col- 
chester, February IS, 1789. 

Colonel Allen possessed a mind naturally strong, 
vigorous and eccentric, but ithad not been improv- 
ed by an early education. He was brave in the 
most imminent danger, and possessed a bold, da- 
ling, and adventurous spirit, which neither feared 
dangers nor regarded diiliculties. He was also 
ingenuous, frank, generous, and patriotic, which 
are the usual accompanying virtues of native bra- 
very and courage. He wrote and published a 
narrative of his sufferings during his imprison- 
ment in England and in Nev/ York; comprising 
also various observations ux)on the events of tiie 
war, the conduct of the British, and their treat- 
ment of their prisoners. 

ALEXANDER, William, commonly called 
lord Sterling, a major-general in the American 
army, in the revolutionary v» ar with Great Britain, 
was a native of the city of New York, but 
spent a considerable part of his life in New^ Jer- 
sey. He was considered hy many as the rightful 
heir to the title and estate of an earldom in Scot- 
land, of which country his father was a native; 
and although, when he went to Nortli Britain in 
pursuit of this iidieritance, he failed of obtaining 
an acknowledgment of his claim by govern.ment; 
yet, among his friends and acquaintances, hei-eceiv- 
ed by courtesy the title of lord Sterling, He dis- 
covered an early fondness for the study of mathe- 
matics and astronomy, and attained great emi- 
nence in these sciences. 



ALEXANDER. 7i 

In the battle on Long-Island, August 27, 17T6, 
tiC was taken prisoner, after having secured to a 
large part of the detacJnnent, an opportunity to 
escape, by a bold attack, with four hundred men, 
upon a corps under lord Cornwallis. In the bat- 
tle of Germantown, his division, and tlie brigades 
of generals Nash and Maxwell, formed the corps 
of I'eserve. At the battle of Monmoutli, he com- 
manded the left wing of tlie American army. — 

He died at Albany, January 15, 1783, aged 57 
years. He was a brave, discerning, and intrepid 
officer. 

Ramsay, in his history of the American revolu- 
tion, gives the following account of tlie battle of 
Monmouth : 

^•The royal army passed over the Delaware into 
New Jersey. General Washington, liaving pene- 
(Tated into their design of evacuating Philadelphia, 
had previously detached general Maxwell's bi'ig- 
ade, to co-operate with the Jersey militia, in ob- 
structing their progress, till time would be given 
for his army to overtake them. The British were 
incumbered with enormous baggage, which, to- 
gether with the impediments throw n into their 
way, greatly retarded their march. The Ameri- 
can army, having, in pursuit of the British, cross- 
ed the Delaware, six hundred men were immedi- 
ately detached, under colonel Morgan, to reinforce 
general Maxwell. Washington halted his troops., 
when tliey had marched to the vlciiiity of Prince- 
ton. The general officers in the American army, 
being asketl by the commander in chief, ^Wiil it be 
advisable to hazard a general action?' answered 
in the negative, but recommended a detachment of 
iifteen hundred men, to be immediately sent, to act 
as occasion might serve, on the enemy's left flank 
ynd rear. Tliis was immediately forwarded un- 
der general Scott. Wiien sir Henry Clinton had 
advanced to Alientown, he determined, Instead of 



72 ALEXANDER. 

keeping the direct course towards Staten Island, to 
draw towards the sea coast and to pass on towards 
Sandy Hook. General Washington, on receiving 
intelligence that sir Henry was proceeding in that 
direction towards Monmouth court-house, dis- 
patched one thousand men under general Wayne, 
and sent the mai'quis de la Fayette to take com- 
mand of the whole advanced corps, with orders to 
seize the first fair opportunity of attacking the en- 
emy's rear. General Lee, who, having heen late- 
ly exchanged, had joined the army, was offered this 
command, hut he declined it, as he was in principle 
n gainst hazarding an attack. The whole army 
followed at a proper distance, for supporting tlic 
advanced corps, and reached Cranberry the next 
morning. Sir Henry Clinton, sensible of the ap- 
proach of the Americans, placed his grenadiers, 
light infantry and chaseurs, in his rear, and his 
baggage in his front. General Washington in- 
creased his advanced corps with two brigades, and 
sent general Lee, who now wished for the com- 
mand, to take cliarge of tlie whole, and followed 
with the main army to give it support. On the 
next morning orders were sent to Lee, to move on 
and attack, unless there should be powerful rea- 
sons to the contrary. When Washington had 
marched about five miles, to support the ad^anced 
corps, he found the whole of it retreating by Lee's 
orders, and without having made any opposition 
of consequence. Washington i-ode up to Lee and 
proposed certain questions to liim, which implied 
censure. Lee answered with warmth and unsuit- 
able language. The commander in chief ordered 
colonel Stewart's and lieutenant colonel Ramsay's 
battalions, to form on a piece of ground, v,'hich he 
judged suitable for giving a check to the advanc- 
ing enemy. Lee was then asked if he would com- 
mand on that ground, to which he consented, and 
was ordered to take proper measures for checking 



ALEXANDER. 7t^ 

vhe enemy, lo which he replied, Sour orders shall 
be obeyed, and I will not be tlie first to leave the 
field.' Washington then rode to the main army, 
wliich w as formed with the utmost expedition. A 
warm cannonade immediately commenced, bc> 
tween the British and American artillery, and a 
heavy firing between the advanced troops of the 
British army, and the two battalions which gene- 
ral Washington had halted. These stood thcii- 
ground, till they were intermixed with a part of 
the British army. Lieutenant Colonel Ramsay- 
the commander of one of them, was wounded and 
taken prisoner. General Lee continued till the 
last on the field of battle, and brought off tlie rear 
of the retreating troops. 

^*The check the British received, gave time t(5 
make a disposition of the left wing, and second 
line of the American army in the wood, and on the 
eminence to which Lee was retreating. On this, 
some cannon were placed by lord Sterling, vvho 
commanded the left wing, '^vliich, with the co-ope- 
ration of some parties of infantry, effectually 
stopped the advance of the British in that quarter- 
General Greene took a very advantageous position, 
on the right of lord Sterling. The British at 
tempted to turn the left flank of the Americans, hut 
were repulsed. They also made a movement to 
t he right, with as little success, for Greene witli 
-vrtillery disajipointed their design. Wayne ad- 
anced with a body of troops, and kept up so se- 
', ere and well directed a fire, that the British Vvcre 
soon compelled to give way. They retired and 
took the position, which Lee had before occupied, 
Washington resolved to attack them, and ordered 
General Poor to move round upon their right, and 
General Woodford to their left; but they could not 
get within reach, before it v, as dark. These re- 
f Rained on tlie ground, whicli ti.^y had been direcl- 
-d to occupy during th.o night, with an intention <n 

?4- 



r4 ARNOLD. 

attacking early next morning, and tiie main bociv 
iay on their arms in the field to be ready for sup- 
porting them. General Washington reposed him- 
self in his cloak, under a tree, in hopes of renew- 
ing the action the next day. But these hopes 
were frustrated: The British troops marched a\vay 
in the niglit, in such silence, that General Poor, 
though he lay very near them, knew nothing of their 
departure. They left behind tliem, four officers and 
about forty privates, all so badly wounded, tliat 
they could not be removed. Their other wounded 
were carried off. The Biitisli pursued their march 
without further interruption, and soon reached the 
ueighbourhood of Sandy-Hook, without the loss of 
either their covering party or baggage. The Amer- 
ican general declined all farther pursuit of the roy- 
al army, and soon after drew off his troops to the 
borders of tlie North river. The loss of the Amer- 
icans, in killed and wounded, was about 250. The 
loss of the royal army, inclusive of prisoners, was 
about 350. Lieutenant Colonel Monckton, one of 
the British slain, on account of his singular merit, 
was universally lamented. Colonel Bonner of 
Pennsylvania, and major Dickenson of Virginia, 
officers highly esteemed by their country, fell in 
this engagement. The emotions of the mind, ad- 
ded to fatigue in a very hot day, brought on such a 
fatal suppression of the vital powers, that some of 
the Americans, and fifty-nine of the British, were 
found dead on the field of battle, without any marks 
of violence upon their bodies." 

ARNOLD, Benedict, a major general in the 
American army, during the revolutionary war, 
and infamous for deserting the cause of his coun- 
try, was early chosen captain of a volunteer com- 
pany in New Haven, Connecticut, where he lived. 
After hearing of the battle of Lexington, he imme- 
diately marched, with his company, for the Amerl 
can head-quarterS; and i^achcd Cambridge, Apri? 
1:9, 1775. 



ARNOLD. 75 

He immediately waited on the Massachusetts? 
committee of safety, and informed them of the de- 
fenceless state of Ticondero^a. The committee 
appointed him a colonel, and commissioned liini to 
I'aise four hundred men, and to take that fortress. 
He proceeded directly to Vermont^ and when he 
arrived at Castleton was attended hy one servant 
only. Here he joined colonel Allen, and on the 
lOtiiof May, the fortress was taken. 

In the fall of 1775, he was sent hy tiie comman- 
der in chief to penetrate through the wilderness of 
the district of Maine, into Canada. On the I6tli 
of Septemher, he commenced his march with about 
one thousand men, consisting of Ncv/ England in- 
fantry, some volunteers, a company of artillery, 
and three companies of riflemen. One division 
was obliged to return, or it would have perished 
by hunger. After sustaining almost incredible 
hardships he, in six weeks, arrived at Point Levi, 
opposite to Quebec. The appearance of an army, 
emerging from the wilderness, threv/ the city in- 
to the greatest consternation. In this moment of 
surprise Arnold might probably have become mas- 
ter of the place, but the small crafts and boats in 
the river were removed out of his reach. 

It seems that his approach was not altogether 
unexpected. He had, imprudently, a number of 
days before, sent forward a letter to a friend by an 
Indian, who betrayed him. A delay of several 
days on account of the difficulty of passing the riv- 
er was inevitable, and the critical moment was 
lost. 

On the 14th of November, he crossed the St. 
Lawrence in the night; and, ascending the preci- 
pice, which Wolfe had climbed before him, formed 
his small corps on the height, near the memorable 
plains of Abraham. With only about seven hun 
dred men, one third of whose muskets had been 
rendered useless in the march through the wilder 



:u ARNOLD. 

ness, success could not be expected. After para- 
ding some days on the heights, near the town, and 
sending two flags to summon the inhabitants, he 
retired to Point aux Trembles, twenty miles above 
Quebec, and there waited the ai'rival of Montgo- 
mery, who joined him on tlic first of December. 
The city was immediately besieged, but the best 
measures had been taken for its defence. On the 
morning of the last day of the year, an assault 
ivas made on the one side of the city by Montgome- 
ry, who was killed. At the same time, colonel 
Vrnold, at the head of about three hundred and 
fifty men, made a desperate attack on the opposite 
side. Advancing with the utmost intrepidity along 
the St. Charles, through a narrow path, exposed to 
an incessant fire of grape shot and musketry, as he 
approached the first barrier he received a musket 
!>all in the leg, which shattered the bone; and he 
T\ as carried off to the camp. Though the attack 
was unsuccessful, the blockade of Quebec w^as con- 
■inucd till May, 1776, when the army, which was 
in no condition to risk an assault, was removed to 
a more defensible position. Arnold was compelled 
10 relinquish one post after another, till the 18tli 
of June, ^v]lell he quitted Canada. After this pe- 
liod he exhibited great bravery in the command of 
:!ie American fleet on lake Champlain. 

In August, 1777, he relieved fort Schuyler, un- 
der the command of colonel Gansevoort, which w^as 
invested by colonel St. Leger, with an army of 
from fifteen to eighteen hundred men. In the bat- 
tle, near Stillwater, September the nineteenth, he 
conducted himself with his usual intrepidity, being 
engaged, incessantly, for four hours. In the ac- 
tion of October the seventh, after the British had 
been driven into the lines, Arnold pressed forward^ 
and under a tremendous fire, assaulted their works 
from right to left. The intrenchments were at 
length forced, and with a few men he actually en- 



ARNOLD. 77 

lered the works ; but his horse being killed, and be 
himself badly wounded in the leg, he found it ne- 
cessary to withdraw, and as it was now almost 
dark, to desist from the attack. 

Being rendered unfit for active service in conse- 
quence of his wound, after the recovery of Phila- 
delphia, he was appointed to the command of the 
American garrison. When he entered the city, he 
made the house of governor Penn, the best house 
in the city, his head quarters. This he furnished 
in a very costly manner, and lived far beyond his 
income. He had v> asted the plunder, which he had 
seized at Montreal, in his retreat from Canada; 
and at Philadelphia, he was determined to make 
new acquisitions. He laid bis hands on every 
tiling in the city, which could be considered as the 
property of those who were unfriendly to the cause 
of his country. He was charged with oppression, 
extortion, and enormous charges upon the public, 
in his accounts; and with applying the public mo- 
ney and property to his o^^ n private use. Suck 
was his conduct, that he drew upon himself the 
odium of the inhabitants, not only of the city, but 
of the province in general. He was engaged in 
trading speculations, and had shares in several 
privateers, but was unsuccessful. 

From the judgment of the commissioners, who 
had been appointed to inspect his accounts, and 
wiio had rejected above half the amount of his de- 
mands, he appealed to congress; and they appoint- 
ed a committee of their own body to examine and 
settle the business. The committee confirmed the 
report of the commissioners, and thought they had 
silowed him more than he liad any right to expect 
or demand. By these disappointments he became 
irritated, and lie gave full scope to his resentment. 
His invectives against congress were not less vio-= 
lent, than tliose which he had before thrown out 
against the commissioners. He wasj however^ 



78t ARNOLD. 

soon obliged to abide tlic judgment of a com-t-niar'- 
tial, upon tlie ( liarges exhibited against bini by tlie 
executive of Pennsylvania; and he was subjected to 
the mortification of receiving a reprimand from 
Washington. His trial commenced in June, 1778, 
but such were the delays occasioned by tlie move- 
ments of the army, that it was not concluded until 
the 26th of January, 1779. The sentence of a re- 
primand w as approved by congress, and was soon 
aftei'w ards carried into execution. 

Sucli w as the humiliation, to which general Ar- 
nold w as reduced, in consequence of yielding to the 
Temptations of pride and vanity, and indulging 
himself in the pleasures of a sumptuous table and 
expensive equipage. 

From this time, pi'obably, his proud spirit re- 
volted from the cause of America. He turned his 
eyes to West Point as an acquisition, which would 
give value to treason, while its loss would inflict 
a mortal wound on his former friends. He ad- 
dressed himself to the delegation of New York, in 
which state his reputation w^as peculiarly high; 
and a member of congress from tliis state, recom- 
mended him to Washington for the service which 
he desired. But this request could not be imme- 
diately complied with. The same application to 
the commander in chief was made not long after- 
wards through general Schuyler. Washington ob- 
served, that, as there was a prospect of an active 
campaign, he should be gratified w ith the aid of 
general Arnold in the field, but intimated, at the 
same time, that he should receive the appointment 
requested, if it should be more pleasing to him. 

Arnold, without discovering much solicitude, re- 
paired to camp in the beginning of August, and re- 
new ed, in person, the solicitations, which had been 
before indirectly made. He w as now^ offered the 
rommand of the left wing of the army, which w^as 
idvancinj;: against Now York, but he declined l- 



ARNOLD. 79 

under the pretext, that in conseqence of his v/ounds, 
he was unahle to perform the active duties of the 
field. Without a suspicion of his patriotism, ho 
was invested with the command of West Point. — 
Previously to his soliciting this station, lie had, in 
a letter to colonel Rohinson, signified his change 
of principles, and his wish to restore himself 
to the favour of his prince, by some signal proof of 
his repentance. This letter opened to him a cor- 
respondence with sir Henry Clinton, the object of 
which was to concert the means of putting the im- 
portant post, which he commanded, into the pos- 
session of the British general. 

His plan, it is believed, was to have drawn the 
greater pai-t of his army without the works, under 
the pretext of fighting the enemy in the defiles, and 
to have left unguarded a designated pass, through 
which the assailants might scciiiely approach and 
surprise tlie fortress. His troops he intended to 
place, so that they would be compelled to surren- 
der, or be cut in pieces. But just as his scheme 
was ripe for execution, the wise Disposer of events, 
who so often and so remarkably interposed in fa- 
¥Our of the American cause, blasted his designs. 

Major Andre, adjutant general of the British ar- 
my, was selected as the person, to whom the ma- 
turing of Arnold's treason, and the arrangements 
for its execution should be committed. A corres- 
pondence was, for some time, carried on between 
them under a mercantile disguise, and the feigned 
names of Gustavus and Anderson ; and at length, 
to facilitate their communications, the Vulture 
sloop of war moved up the North river and took a 
station convenient for the purpose, but not so near 
as to excite suspicion. An inteiTiew was agreed 
on, and in the night of September the 21st, 17 SO, 
he was taken in a boat, which was dispatched for 
the purpose, and earned to the beach without the 
posts of both armies, under a pass for John Auder= 



m AHNOLD. 

son. He met general Arnold at the house of a Mr. 
Smith. While the conference was yet unfinished, 
day light approached ; and to avoid the danger of 
discovei'y, it was proposed, that he should remain 
con( ealed till the succeeding night. He is under- 
stood to have refused to he carried within the Ame- 
rican posts, but the promise made him by Arnold, 
to respect this objection, was not observed. He 
was carried within them contrary to his wishes 
and against his knowledge. He continued with Ar- 
nold the succeeding day, and when, on the follow- 
ing niglit, he proposed to return to the Vulture, 
the boatmen refused to carry him, because slue had* 
during the day, shifted her station, in consequence 
of a gun having been niovcd to the shore, and 
brought to bear upon her. This embarrassing cir- 
cumstance reduced him to the necessity of endea- 
vouring to reach New York by land. Yielding, 
with reluctance, to tl>e urgent representations of 
Arnold, he laid aside his regimentals, which he 
had hitlierto worn under a surtout, and put on a. 
plain suit of clothes; and, i-eceiving a pass from 
the American general, autliorising him, under the 
feigned name of John Anderson, to proceed on the 
public service, to the White Plains, or lower, if he 
thought proper, he set out on his return. He had 
passed all the guards and posts on the road with- 
out suspicion, and was proceeding Iq New York in 
perfect security, when, on the 23d of Septembei*, 
one of the three militia-men, who were employed 
with others in scouting parties between the lines of 
the two armies, spiinging suddenly from his covert 
into the road, seized the reins of his bridle and 
stopped his horse* Instead of producing his pass, 
Andre, with a want of self-possession, which can 
be atti'ibuted only to a kind providence, asked the 
man hastily, where he belonged; and being an- 
swered, "to below," replied immediately, "and so 
do L" He then declared himself to be a Britisb 



ARNOLD. SI 

oflicer, on urgent business, and begged that lie 
might not be detained. The other two militia men 
coming up at this moment, he discovered his mis- 
lake ; but it was too late to repair it. He offered 
(I purse of gold and a valuable watch, to which ho 
added the most tempting promises of ample reward 
and permanent provision from the government, if 
they vrould permit him to escape ; but his offers 
were rejected without hesitation. 

The militia men, whose names were John Pauld- 
ing, David Williams, and Isaac Vanwert, proceed- 
ed to search him. They found concealed in his 
boots, exact returns, in Arnold's hand writing, of 
t'ne state of the forces, ordnance, and defences at 
West Point and its dependencies; critical remarks 
on the works, and an estimate of the men ordina- 
rily employed in them, with other interesting pa- 
pers. Andre was carried before lieutenant colonel 
Jameson, the officer commanding the scouting par- 
ties on the lines, and, regardless of himself, and 
only anxious for the safety of Arnold, he still 
maintained the character which he had assumed, 
and requested Jameson to inform his commanding 
officer that Anderson was taken. An express was 
accordingly dispatched, and the traitor, thus be- 
coming acquainted with his danger, escaped. 

Major Andre, after his detection, was permit- 
ted to send a message to Arnold, to give him no- 
tice of his danger; and the traitor found opportuni- 
ty to escape on board the Vulture, on the 25th of 
September, 1780, a few^ hours before the return ol 
Washington, who had been absent on a journey to 
Hartford, Connecticut. It is supposed, however, 
that he would not have escaped, had not an express 
to the commander in chief, with an account of the 
capture of Andre, missed him by taking a different 
road from the one wliich he travelled. 

Arnold, on the very day of his escape, wrote a 
letter to Washington, declaring that the love of his 



85 ARNOLD. 

country had governed him in liis late conduct, and 
I'equcsting Idm to protect ^Irs. Arnold. She was 
conveyed to her hushand at New York, and liis 
clothes and haggage, for whicli lie had written, 
were ti'ansmitted to him. During the exertions 
which were made to rescue Andre from the des- 
truction, wliich tlirealened him, Arnold had the 
hardihood to interpose. He appealed to tlie hu- 
)nanity of the commander in chief, and tlien sought 
to intimidate him by stating the situation of many 
of the principal characters of Soutlt Carolina, who 
had forfeited their lives, hut laad hitherto been 
spared through the clemency of the British gene- 
eral. This clemency, he said, could no longer, in 
justice, be extended to them, should major Andre 
suffer. 

Arnold was made a brigadier general in the Bri- 
tish service; which rank he preserved throughout 
the war. Yet he must have been held in contempt 
and detestation by the generous and honourable. 
It was impossible for men of tliis description, even 
when acting with him, to forget that he was a 
traitor, first the slave of his rage, then purchased 
with gold, and finally secured by the blood of one 
of the most accomplished officers in the British 
army. One would suppose that his mind could 
not have been much at ease; but he had proceeded 
so far in vice, that perhaps his reflections gave 
him but little trouble. ^*I am mistaken," says 
Washington, in a private letter, *Mf, at this iimen 
Arnold is undergoing the torments of a mental 
hell. He wants feelir^'. From some traits of his 
character, which have lately come to my know- 
ledge, he seems to have been so hacknied in crime, 
so lost to all sense of honour and shame, that 
while his faculties still enable him to continue his 
sordid pursuits, there will be no time for remorse.** 

Arnold found it necessary to make some exer- 
tions to secure the attachment of his new friends^ 



ARNOLD. 8S 

With tlichopc of alluring many of the discontent- 
ed to his standard, he published an address to the 
inhabitants of America, in which he endeavoured 
to justify his conduct. He had encountered the 
dangers of the field, he said, from apprehension 
that the rights of his country were in danger. He 
had acquiesced in the declaration of independence, 
though he thought it precipitate. But the rejec- 
tion of the overtures, made by Great Britain in 
1778, and the French alliance, had opened his 
eyes to the ambitious views of those, who would 
sacrifice the happiness of their country to their 
own aggrandizement, and had made him a con- 
firmed loyalist. He artfully mingled assertions, 
that the principal members of congress held the 
people in sovereign contempt. 

Tl»is was followed in about a fortnight by a 
proclamation, adtlressed ^* to the officers and sol- 
dit^rs of t]ie continental army, who have the real 
interest of their country at heart, and who are de- 
termined to be no longer the tools and dupes of 
congress or of France." To induce the American 
officers and soldiei's to desert the cause, which 
they had embraced, he represented that tlie corps 
of cavalry and infantry, which he was authorized 
to raise, would be upon the same footing with the 
otiier troops in the British service; that he should 
with pleasure, advance those, whose valor he had 
witijessed; and that the private men, who joined 
him should receive a bounty of three guineas each, 
besides payment, at tlie full value, for horses, arms, 
and accoutrements. His object was the peace, li- 
berty, and safety of America. *^ You are promised 
liberty," he exclaims, *' but is there an individual 
in the enjoyment of it saving your oppressors i" 
Who among you dare to speak or write what he 
thinks against the tyranny, which has robbed 
you of your property, imprisons your persons, 
drags you to the field of battle, and is daily delsi- 



84 .VRNOLD, 

J5ing yom* country witli your blood? ^' Wiiat/' he 
exclaims again, "Ms America now but a land of 
widows, orphans, and beggars? As to you, who 
have been soldiei*s in the continental army, can you 
at this day want evidence, that the funds of your 
countiy are exhausted, or that the managers have 
applied them to their private uses? In either case 
you surely can no longer continue in their service 
with honour oi* advantage. Yet you have hitherto 
been their supporters in that cruelty, which, with 
equal indifference to yours, as well as to the labour 
and blood of others, is devouring a country, that 
from the moment you quit their colours, will be re- 
deemed from their tyranny." 

These proclamations did not produce the effect 
designed, and in all the hardships, sufferings, and 
irritations of the war, Arnold remains the solitary 
instance of an American officer, who abandoned 
the side first embraced in the contest, and turned 
his sword upon his former companioris in arms. 

He was soon despatched by sir Henry Clinton, 
to make a diversion in Virginia. With about sev- 
enteen hundred men he arrived in th6 Chesapeake, 
In January, 1781, and being supported by such a 
naval force, as was suited to the nature of tlie ser- 
vice, he committed extensive ravages on tlie rivers 
and along the unprotected coasts. It is said, that 
while on this expedition, Arnold enquired of an 
American captain, whom he had taken prisoner, 
wliat the Americans would do with liim if lie 
should fall into their hands. The captain at first 
declined giving him an answer, but upon being re- 
peatedly urged to it, he said, ^^ Why, sir, if I must 
*' answer your question, you must excuse my tel- 
** ling you the plain trutli: if my countrymen should 
*^ catch you, I believe they tcoidd first ciit off that 
^* lame leg^ which was wounded in the cause of free- 
^^dom and virtue, and bury it with the honours of 
""^war, and afterwards hang the remainder of your 



ARNOLD. 85 

•• boihj in gibbets.'' The reader will recollect thai 
the c aptain alluded to the wound Arnold received 
in one of his legs, at tlie attack upon Quebec, in 
1776. 

After his return from Virginia, he was appoint- 
ed to conduct an expedition, the object of whicii 
was the town of New London, in his native coun- 
ty. The troops employed therein, were landed iu 
tw o detachments, one on eacli side of the harbour. 
The one commanded by lieutenant colonel Eyre, 
and the other by Arnold. He took foii; Trumbull 
without much opposition. Fort Griswold w as fu- 
riously attacked by lieutenant colonel Eyre. The 
garrison defended themselves with great resolu- 
tion, but after a severe conflict of forty minutes, 
the fort was carried by the enemy. The Ameri- 
cans had not m_ore than six or seven men killed, 
when the British carried the lines, but a se^ ere 
execution took place afterwards, though resistance 
had ceased. An officer of tlie conquering troops 
-enquired, on liis entering the fort, who command- 
ed. Colonel Ledyard. presenting his sword, an- 
rswered, *^ J did, but you do now;" and was imme- 
diately run througli the body and killed. Eetweeii 
30 and 40 were wounded, and about 40 were car- 
ried off prisoners. On the part of the British 48 
were killed, and 145 wounded. About 15 vessels 
loaded witli the effects of the inhabitants, retreat- 
ed up tirc river, and four others remained in the 
liarbour unhurt; but all excepting these were burn- 
ed by the communication of fire from the burning 
stores. Sixty dwelling houses and eighty-four 
stores were reduced to ashes, 'llie loss which 
the Americans sustained by the destruction of na- 
val stores, of provisions, and merchandize, was 
Immense. General Arnold having completed the 
object of the expedition, returned in eight days te 
New York. 

From the conclusion of the war till his d^atl?, 
H 



'66 BAilTLETT. 

general Arnold resided rliietiy in England, lit 
died in Gloucester place, London, June 14, 1801. 
His character presents little to be commended. — 
His daring courage may indeed excite admiration; 
but it was a courage without reflection, and with- 
out principle. He fought braA ely foi* his country, 
and he bled in her cause; but his country owed him 
«o returns of gratitude, for his subsequent conduct 
proved, that he had no honest regard to her inter- 
ests, but was governed by selfish considerations. 
His progress from self-indulgence to treason was 
easy and rapid. He was vain and luxiaiovs, and 
to gratify his giddy desires, he must resort to 
meanness, dishonesty, and extortion. These vices 
brought with them disgrace; and the contempt into 
which he fell, awakened a spirit of revenge, and 
left him to the unrestrained influence of his cupid- 
ity and passion. Thus, from the high fame to 
which his bravery had elevated him, he descend- 
ed into infamy. Thus too, he furnished new evi- 
dence of the infatuation of the human mind, in at- 
taching such value to the reputation of a soldier, 
which may be obtained w hile the heart is unsound, 
and every moral sentiment is entirely depraved. 

BARTLETT, Josiah, governor of New Hamp- 
shire, was born at Amesburj, in the county of Es- 
sex, Massachusetts, 21st November, 1729. His 
ancestors came from the south of England, and 
fixed at Newbury. The rudiments of his educa- 
tion he received at Amesbury, at the town school; 
and having a thirst for knowledge, he applied him- 
self to books in various languages, in which he 
was assisted by a neighbouring clergyman, the 
reverend Mr. Webster, of Salisbury, an excellent 
scholar as well as judicious di\ine. Mr. Bartlett 
had the benefit of his library and conversation, 
while he studied physic with a gentleman, who was 
SL practitioner in his native town. At the age of 
>-wenty-one, he began the practice of physic in 



BARTLETl'. b: 

Kingston, and soon became very eminent in the 
line of his profession. In 1764, a field was open- 
ed for the useful display of his skill. The aj- 
nanche vialigna became very prevalent i]i many 
towns of New Hamphshire, and was a fatal disease 
among cliildren. The method of treating it was 
as a highly philogistic complaint; hut he was led 
from his own reason and observations, to manage 
it differently. He made use of the Peruvian harky 
as an antidote and preventative, and his practice 
was successful. Tliis afterwards become general 
among pliysicians. 

In 1765. Dr. Banlett was chosen a member of 
the legislature, and from this time was annually 
elected till the revolution. He soon after was made 
a justice of the peace. In ITTO, he Vvas appointed 
lieutenant colonel of the 7th regiment of militia. 
These commissions he was deprived of in 1774, on 
account of the active pai-t he took in the contro- 
versy witli Great Britain. This was a time when 
^^ the clashing of parties excited strong passions, 
whicli frequently gained the mastery of reason.'* 
The governor and council of Xevr Hampshire, saw 
fit to dissolve tlie house of assembly, supposing that 
a new one might become more flexible, or be more 
subservient to their wishes. In the mxCanwhile, 
colonel Bartlett, with several others, planned a 
kinfj of authority, which v, as called a committee of 
safety. TJiey met at Exeter, and in the course of 
events, were obliged to take upon themselves the 
whole executive government of the state. When 
a provincial congress had again organized the 
government, colonel Bartlett received a new ap- 
pointment as justice of the peace, and colonel of 
tlie 7th regiment. 

He was one of the first members who were cho- 
sen to represent the state in congress. Colonel 
Bartlett was prevented from accepting this hon- 
ourable trust by the unhappy condition of his i^^^-- 



88 BARTLETT. 

mestic affairs; his house having hceii hnrut, hisy 
family were obliged to seek a shelter witiiout any 
thing hut the clothes they had upon tltem. lie 
was elected memher of the second congress w hich 
assembled at Philadelphia the next year, and also 
attended his duty in the same station, 1776. He 
was the first that signed the declaration of inde- 
pendence after the president. 

In 1777, colonel Bartlett and general Peabody, 
were appointed agents to provide medical aid and 
other necessaries for the New Hampshire troops, 
who w ent with general Stark, and for this purpose 
repaired to Bennington, a sj)ot distinguished by a 
battle very important in its consequences. In 
April, 1778, he again went as a delegate to con- 
gress. He returned in November, and would no 
longer appear as a candidate for that office. 

When the state of New Hampshire w as organi- 
zed, under a popular government, colonel Bartlett 
was appointed judge of the common pleas; in June, 
1782, a judge of the supreme court; in 1788, chief 
justice. 

In June, 1790, lie was elected president of the 
state, which office he held till the constitution ab- 
rogated the office of president, and substituted the 
title of the cliief magistrate, governor. He was 
then chosen the first governor of New Hampshire 
since the revolution. He resigned the chair in 
1794, on account of his infirm state of health, and 
then retired from public business. 

He had been the chief agent in forming the med- 
ical society of New Hampshire, which was incor- 
porated in 1791, of which he was president, till 
his public labours ceased, and when he resigned, 
he received a warm acknoAvledgment of his services 
and patronage, in a letter of thanks, which is now 
upon the records of the society. He was always 
a i)atron of learning and a friend to learned men. 
Without the advantages of a college education, he 



BIDDLE. 891 

was an example to stimulate those wlio have been 
blessed with every advantage in early life; but can- 
not exhibit sucii improvement of their talents, or 
such exertions in the cause of literature. It was 
his opinion that republics cannot exist without 
knowledge and virtue in the people. 

He received an honorary degree of doctor of me- 
dicine from Dartmouth University. 

Governor Bartlett did not live long after he re- 
signed his public employments. His health had 
been declining a number of years. He died sudden- 
ly, May, 1795. 

BIDDLE, Nicholas, captain in the American 
navy, during the revolutionary war, was born in 
the city of Philadelphia, in the year 1750. Among 
the brave men, who perished in the glorious strug- 
gle for the independence of Amerca, captain Bid 
die holds a distinguished rank. His services, and 
the high expectations raised by his military geniua 
and gallantry, have left a strong impression of 
his merit, and a profound regret that his early fate 
should have disappointed, so soon, the hopes of his 
country. 

Very early in life he manifested a partiality for 
the sea, and before the age of fourteen he had made 
a voyage to Quebec. In tlie following year, 1765, 
he sailed from Philadelphia to Jamaica, and the 
Bay of Honduras. The vessel left the Bay in the 
latter end of December, 1765, bound to Antigua, * 
and on the second day of January, in a heavy gale 
of wind, she was cast away on a shoal, called the 
Northern Triangles. After remaining two nights 
and a day upon the wreck, the crew took to their 
yawl, the long-boat having been lost, and with 
great difficulty and hazard, landed on one of the 
small uninhabited islands, about three leagues dis- 
tant from the reef, upon which they struck. Here 
they staid a few days. Some provisions werepro- 
nircd from the wreck; and their boat was refittecL. 
H 9. 



90 BIDDLE. 

As it was too small to carry tliem all off, they 
drew lots to tlctermine who vshoukl leniaiiic and 
young Biddle was among the number. He, and 
his three rompap.ions, suffered extreme hardships lor 
want of provisions and good water: and, although 
various efforts were made for their relief, it was 
nearly two months before they succeeded. 

Such a scene of dangers and sufferings in the 
commeiicement of his career, would have discour- 
aged a youth of ordinary enterprise and pei'seve- 
2 ance. On him it produced no such effect. The 
coolness and promptitude \^ith which he acted, in 
ilie midst of perils that alarmed the oldest seamen, 
gave a sure presage of the force of his character, 
and after he had returned home, he made several 
European voyages, in v.hich he acquired a thorough 
knowledge of seamanship. 

In the year 1770, when a war between Great 
Britain and Spain was expected, in consequence of 
the dispute relative to Falkland's Island, he went 
to London, in order to enter into the British navy^ 
Ho took with him letters of recommendation from 
Thomas Willing, Esquire, to his brother-in-law 
.'•aptain Sterling, on board of whose ship he served 
lor some time as a midshipman. The dispute with 
Spain being accommodated, he intended to leave 
the navy, but was persuaded by captain Sterling 
to remain in the service, promising that he would 
use all his interest to get !iim promoted. His ar- 
<ient mind, however, could not rest satisfied with 
the inactivity of his situation, which he was impa- 
tient to change for one more suited to his disposi- 
lion. 

In the year 1775, a voyage of discovery was un- 
dertaken, at the request of the Royal Society, in 
order to ascertain how far navigation v/as practi- 
cable towards the North Pole, to advance the dis- 
covery of a north-west passage into the south seas, 
^nd to make such astronomical observation.^ as 
might prove serviceable to navigation. 



BIDDLE. SI 

Two vessels, tlie Race Horse and Carcase, were 
fitted out for the expedition, the command of which 
was given to captain Phipps, afterwards lord Mul- 
grave. The peculiar dangers to which such an 
undertaking was exposed, induced the government 
to take extraordinary precautions in fitting outj 
and preparing the vessels, and selecting the crews, 
and a positive order was issued that no boys should 
be received on board. 

To the bold and enterprising spirit of young 
Biddle, such an expedition had great attractions. 
Extremely anxious to join it, lie endeavoured to 
procure captain Sterling's permission for that pur- 
pose, but he was unwilling to part with him, and 
would not consent to let him go. The temptation 
was, however, irresistible. He resolved to go, 
and laying aside his uniform, he entered on boaM 
the Carcase before the mast. When he first went 
on board, he was observed by a seaman wlio had 
known him before and was very much attached to 
Mm. The honest fellow, thinking that he must 
have been degraded and turned before the mast in 
disgrace, was greatly affected at seeing him, but 
he was equally surprised and pleased when he 
learned the true cause of the young officer's dis- 
guise, and lie kept his secret as he was requested 
to do. Impelled by the same spirit, young Hora- 
tio, afterwards lord Nelson, had solicited and ob- 
tained permission to enter on board the same ves- 
sel These youthful adventurers are both said to 
have been appointed cockswains, a station always 
asf^igned to the most active and trusty seamen. 
The particulars of this expedition are well known 
to the public. These intrepid navigators penetra- 
ted as far as the latitude of eighty-one degrees and 
thirty-nine minutes, and they were, at one time, 
enclosed with mountains of ice and their vessels 
rendered almost immoveable for five days, at the 
liazard of instant destruction. Captain Biddle^ 



92 BIDDLE. 

kept a Journal of his voyage, which ^vas alkT^ 
wards lost witli bim. 

The coinmencemeiit of the revolution gave a new 
turn to his pursuits, and he repaired without delay, 
to the standard of his country. When a rupture 
between England and America appeared inevita- 
ble, he returned to Philadelphia, and soon after 
his arrival, he was appointed to tlic command ot 
the Camden galley, iitted for the defence of tlic 
Delaware* He found this too inactive a service, 
and when the fleet was preparing, under commo- 
dore Hopkins, for an expedition against New Pro- 
vidence, he applied for a command in the fleet, r^iul 
was immediately appointed commander of the An- 
drew Doria, a brig of 14 guns and 130 men. Paul 
Jones who was then a lieutenant, and was going 
on the expedition, was distinguished by captain 
Biddic, and introduced to his friends as an ollicer 
of merit. 

Before he sailed from tlie capes of Delaware, an 
incident occurred, which marked his personal in- 
trepidity. Hearing that two deserters from his 
vessel were at Lewistown in prison, an officer was 
sent on shore for them, but he returned with infor- 
mation tliat the two men, with some otliers, had 
armed themselves, barricadoed the door, and swore 
they would not be taken; that the militia of the town 
had been sent for, but were afraid to open the door, 
the prisoners threatening to slioot the first man who 
entered. Captain Biddic immediately went to the 
prison, accompanied by a midshipman, and calling 
to one of the deserters whose name was Green, a 
stout, resolute fellow, ordered him to open the 
door; he replied that he would not. and if he at- 
tempted to enter, he would shoot him. He then 
ordered the door to be forced, and entering singly 
with a pistol in each hand, he called to Green, 
who was prepared to fire, and said, '*Now Green, 
if you do not take good aim, you are a dead man.'* 



BIDDLE. 9$ 

Daunted by his manner, their resolution failed, and 
the militia coming in, secured them. They after- 
wards declared to the officer who furnishes this ac- 
count, that it was captain Biddle's look and man- 
ner which had awed them into submission, for that 
they had determined to kill him as soon as he came 
into the room. 

Writing from the capes to his brother, the late 
judge Biddle, he says, "I know not what may be 
our fate: be it, however, what it may, you may 
rest assured, I will never cause a blush in the 
cheeks of my friends or countrymen." Soon after 
they sailed, the small-pox broke out and raged 
w ith great violence in the fleet, which was mann- 
ed chiefly by New England seamen. The human- 
ity of captain Biddle, always prompt and active, 
was employed on this occasion to alleviate the 
general distress, by ail the means in his power. 
His own ci^w, which was from rhilPvdelphia, be- 
ing secure against the distemper, he took on board 
great numbers of the sick from the other vessels. 
Every part of his vessel was crowded, the long- 
boat was fitted for their accommodation, and he 
gave up his own cot to a young midshipman, on 
whom he bestowed the greatest attention till his 
death. In the mean while he slept himself upon 
the lockers, refusing the repeated solicitations of 
his ofticers, to accept their births. On their arri- 
val at New- Providence, it surrendered without op- 
position. The crew of the Andrew Doria, from 
their crowded situation, became sick, and before 
she left Providence, there were not men enough ca- 
pable of doing duty to man the boats; captain 
Biddle visited them every day, and ordered every 
necessary refreshment, but they continued sickly 
lintil they arrived at New London. 

After refitting at New London, captain Biddle 
received orders to proceed off" the banks of New- 
foundland, in order to intercept the transports ajid 



94: BIDDI.E. 

storeships bound to Boston. Before he rcacIuMl 
the banks, he captui'ed two ships IVom Scotland* 
with 400 higlihiud troops on boai-d, destined for 
Boston. At tins time the Andrew Doria had noc 
100 men. Lieutenant Josiah, a brave and excel- 
lent officer, was put on hoard one of the prizes, 
with all tlic highland ofiicers, and ordered to make; 
the first port. Unfortunately, about ten days af- 
terwards, he was taken by the Cerberus frigate, 
and, on pretence of his being an Englisliman, he- 
was ordered to do duty, and extremely ill used. — - 
Captain Biddic hearing of the ill treatment of lieu- 
tenant Josiah, wrote to tlic admiral at New York, 
that, however disagreeable it v* as to him, he would 
treat a young man of family, believed to be a son 
of lord Craston, who a\ as then his prisoner, in the 
manner they treated lieutenant Josiah. 

He also applied to his own go^ ernment in be- 
half of this injured officer, and by the proceedings 
of congress, on the Tth of xiugust, 1776, it ap- 
pears, "that a letter from captain Nicholas Bid- 
die to the marine committee, was la,id before con- 
gress and read: whereupon, JResolvecL That geiic- 
ral Washington be directed to propose an ex- 
change of lieutenant Josiah, for a lieutenant of the 
navy of Great Britain: that the general remori- 
strate to lord Ho^^e on the cruel treatment lieu- 
tenant Josiah has met witli, of w hich the congress 
have received undoubted information." Lieuten- 
ant Josiah was exchanged, after an imprisonment 
of ten months. After the capture of the ships with 
the highlanders, such w as captain Biddle's activi- 
ty and success in taking prizes, that when he ar- 
rived in the Delaware, he had but the of the crew 
with which he sailed from New London, the rest 
having been distributed among the captured ves- 
sels, and their places supplied by men who had en- 
tered from the prizes. He had a great number of 
prisoners, so that, for some days before he got h\y 
be never left the deck. 



131DDLE. 91 

While lie was thus iiulcfatigably engaged in 
weakening the enemy's power, and advancing his 
country's interest, he was disinterested and gene- 
rous in all that related to his piivate advantage. 
The brave and worthy opponent, whom the chance 
of war had thrown in his power, found in him a 
patron and friend, who, on more than one occa- 
sion, was known to restore to the vanquished the 
fruits of victory. 

In the latter end of the year 1776, captain Bid- 
die was appointed to the command of the Ran- 
dolph, a frigate of thirty-two guns. With his 
usual activity, he employed every exertion to get 
her ready for sea. The difficulty of procuring 
Amei'ican seamen at that time, obliged him, in or- 
der to man his ship, to take a number of British 
seamen, who were prisoners of war, and who had 
requested leave to enter. 

The Randolph sailed from Philadelphia, in Feb- 
ruary, 1777. Soon after she got to sea, her 
lower 4nasts were discovered to be unsound, and, 
in a heavy gale of wind, all her masts w ent by the 
board. While they were bearing away for Charles- 
ton, the English sailors, with some others of the 
crew, formed a design to take the ship. W hen all 
was ready, they gave three cheers on the gun-deck. 
By the decided and resolute conduct of captain 
Eiddle and his officers, the ringleaders were seiz- 
ed and punished, and the rest submitted without 
further resistance. After refitting at Charleston, 
as speedily as possible, he sailed on a cruise, and 
three days after he left tlie bar, he fell in with four 
sail of vessels, bound from Jamaica to London. — 
One of them called the True Briton mounted twen- 
ty guns. The commander of her, who had fre- 
quently expressed to his passengers, his hopes of 
falling in with the Randolph, as soon as he per- 
ceived her, made all the sail he could from her, 
but finding he could not escape, he hoAC too, and 



90 BIDDLE. 

kept lip a constant fire, until the Randolph had 
bore down upon him, and was preparing for a 
broadside, when he hauled down liis colours. By 
her superior sailing, the Randolph was enabled to 
capture the rest of the vessels, and in one week 
from the time he sailed from Charleston, captain 
Biddle returned there with his prizes, which prov- 
ed to be very valuable. 

Encouraged by his spirit and success, the state 
of South Carolina made exertions for fitting out 
an expedition under his command. His name, and 
the personal attachment to him, urged forward a 
crowd of volunteers to serve with him, and in a 
short time, the ship General Moultrie, the brigs 
Fair America, and Polly, and the Notre Dame, 
were prepared for sea. A detachment of fifty men 
from the first regiment of South Carolina Conti- 
nental infantry, w as ordered to act as marines on 
board the Randolph. Such was the attachment 
which the honourable and amiable deportment of 
captain Biddle had impressed during his stay at 
Charleston, and such the confidence inspired by 
his professional conduct and valour, that a general 
emulation pervaded the corps to have the honour 
of serving under his command. Tlie tour of duty, 
after a generous competition among the officers, 
was decided to captain Joor, and lieutenants Grey 
and Simmons, whose gallant conduct, and that of 
their brave detachment, did justice to the high 
character of the regiment. As soon as tlic Ran- 
dolph was refitted, and a new mainmast obtained 
in place of one which had been struck with light- 
ning, she dropt down to Rebellion Roads with her 
little squadron. Their intention was to attack the 
Carysfort frigate, the Perseus twenty-four gun 
ship, the Hinchinbrook of sixteen guns, and a pri- 
vateer which had been cruizing off the Bar, and 
had much annoyed the trade. They were detain- 
"cd a considerable time in Rebellion Roads, after 



BIDDLE. 97 

tliey were ready to sail, by coiitrai-y winds and 
w^ant of water, on the Bar, for the Randolph. As 
soon as they got over the Bar, they stood to the 
eastward* in expectation of falling in with the Bri- 
tish criiizers. The next day they retook a dis- 
masted ship from New England; as she had no 
cargo on board, they took out her crew, six light 
guns, and some stores, and set lier on fire. Find- 
ing that the British ships had left the coast, they 
proceeded to the West Indies, and cruised to the 
eastward, and nearly in the latitude of Barbadoes, 
for some days, during which time they boarded a 
number of French and Dutch ships, and took an 
English schooner from New York, bound to Gren- 
ada, which had mistaken the Randolpli for a Bri- 
tish frigate, and was taken possession of before 
the mistake was discovered. 

On the night of the 7th March, 1778, the fatal 
accident occurred, which terminated tlie life of 
this excellent ofiicer. For some days previously, 
he had expected an attack. Captain Blake, a 
brave officer, who commanded a detachment of 
the second South Carolina regiment, serving as 
marines on board the genei^al Moultrie, and to 
whom we are indebted for several of the ensuing 
particulars, dined on board the Randolph two days 
before the engagement. At dinner captain Biddle 
said, ^* We have been cruizing here for some time, 
and haA e spoken a number of vessels, who will no 
doubt give information of us, and I sliould not be 
surprised if my old sliip should be out after us. 
As to any thing that carries her guns upon one 
deck, I think myself a match for her." About three 
P. M. of the 7tli of March, a signal was made 
from the Randolpli for a sail to windward, in con- 
sequence of which tlie squadn>n hauled upon a 
wind, in order to speak lier. It was four o'clock 
before she could be distinctly seen, when she ^^ils. 
•fliscovered to be a ship, though as she ncared aud 



98 BIDDLE. 

came before the ^Yill(l, she hail tlio appearance of a 
large sloop with only a srjuare sail set. About 
seven o'clock, the Randolph being to windward, 
hove to, the Moultrie being about one hundred and 
fifty yards astern, and i-ather to leeward, also 
hove to. About eight O'clock, the British ship 
fired a shot Just ahead of the Moultrie, and hailed 
her, tlie answer was the Polly of New York, upon 
which she immediately hauled her wind and hailed 
the Randolph. She w as then, for the first time, 
discovered to be a two decker. After several 
questions asked and answered, as she was ranging 
up along side the Randolph, and had got on her 
weather quarter, lieutenant Barnes, of tliat ship, 
called out, ^*This is the Randolph," and she im- 
mediately hoisted her colours and gave the enemy 
a broadside. Shortly after the action commenced, 
captain Biddle received a wound in the thigh and 
Fell. This occasioned some confusion, as it was 
at first thought that he was killed. He soon, how^- 
ever, ordered a chair to be brought, said that he 
was only slightly wounded, and being carried for- 
ward encouraged the crew. The stern of the ene- 
my's ship being clear of the Randolph, the captain 
of the Moultrie gave orders to lire, but the enemy 
having shot ahead, so as to bring the Randolph be- 
tween them, tlie last broadside of the Moultrie 
went into the Randolph, and it was thought by 
one of the men saved, who w as stationed on the 
quarter-deck near captain Biddle, that he was 
wounded by a shot from the Moultrie. The fire 
from the Randolph was constant and well directed. 
She fired nearly three broadsides to the enemy's 
one, and she appeared, while tlie battle lasted, to 
be in a continual blaze. In about twenty minutes 
after the action began, and while the surgeon was 
examining captain Biddle's wound on the quarter 
deck, the Randolph blew up. 

The enemy's vessel was the British ship Yar- 



BIDDLE. 99 

Hioiitli, of sixty-lbiir guns, commaiuled bv captain 
Vincent. So closely were tliey engagetl, that cap- 
tain Morgan, of the Fair American, and all liis 
crev/, tliought that it was the enemy's ship that had 
blov, n lip. He stood for the Yarmoutii, and had a 
trumpet in liis hand to hail and inquire how cap- 
tain Biddle was, when he discovered his mistake. 
Owing to the disabled condition of the Yarmouth 
the other vessels escaped. 

The cause of tlie explosion was never ascertain- 
ed, but it is remarkable that just before he sailed, 
after the clerk had copied the signals and orders 
for the armed vessels that accompanied him, he 
Tvrote at the foot of them. ^*Iii cavSe of coming to 
action in the night be very careful of your maga- 
zines." The number of persons on board the Ran- 
dolph was three hundred and fifteen, who all per- 
ished, except four men, who were tossed about for 
four days on a piece of the wreck before they were 
discovered and taken up. From the information 
of two of these men, who were afterwards in Phi- 
ladelphia, and of some individuals in the other 
vessels of the squadron, we have been enabletl to 
state some particulars of this unfortunate event in 
addition to the accounts given of it by Dr. Ram- 
say in his History of the American Revolution, 
and in his history of the revolution of South Caro- 
lina. In the former work, the historian thus con- 
cludes his account of the action: " Captain Biddle 
who perislied on board the Randolph was univer- 
sally lamented. He was in the prime of life, and 
ha(^ excited high ex])ectations of future usefulness 
to ]iis country, as a bold and skilful naval ofticer." 

Thus prematurely fell, at the age of twenty- 
vseven, as gallant an officer as any countTy ever 
boasted of In tlie short career which Providence 
allowed to him, lie displayed all those qualities 
which constitute a great soldier. Brave to ex- 
cess, and consummately skilled in his profession. 



100 BRYAX. 

no danger nor unexpected event could shake his 
firmness, or disturb his presence of mind. An ex- 
act and rigid disciplinarian, he tempered his au- 
thority with so much humanity and affability, tliat 
his orders were always executed with cheerfulnesa 
and alacrity. Perhaps no officer ever understood 
better the art of commanding the affections, as well 
as the respect of those who served under Iiim; if that 
can be called an art, which was rather the natural 
effect of the benevolence and magnanimity of his 
character. 

BRYAN, Geouge, was a native of the city of 
Dublin, in Ireland, the eldest son of an aiicient 
and respectable family. He received a classical 
and liberal education, and very early imbibed the 
principles of liberty. Even before he had closed 
his studies, he entered with an ardent zeal the 
ranks of opposition to the tyrannic acts of 
Great Britain, against that much abused country. 
When arrived at tlie age of twenty-one, his fatlier 
gave liim lils portion, being a sufficiency for a 
handsome establishment, in the wholesale mercan- 
tile business. He immediately embarked for Phi- 
ladelphia, wlierc he remained until his death — 
Althorjg]» by profession a merchant, Mr. Bryan's 
active, pati'iotic, and higlily improved mind, led 
him to a close observation of, and inquiry into, 
every thing in his adopted country; its govern- 
ment, laws, resources for ijnprovement, &c. &c. 

After several years of extensive business, it 
pleased tlie wise disposer of events to defeat the 
plans of Mr. Bryan, and he was, by the occur- 
rences of severe losses, reduced to comparative 
poverty. But he was rich in intellectual resour- 
ces. In them he had a friend, valuable to himself 
and family, but much more so, as the history of 
his life shews, to liis country. His education fit- 
iei\ Iii'.n for any thing that extensive knowledge'. 
could accomplish. 



BRYAN. 101 

Previous to the revolution, Mr. Bryan was in- 
troduced into various public employments. He 
was a delegate to the congress of 1775, for the 
purpose of petitioning and remonstrating against 
the arbitrary measures of Great Britain. After 
the declaration of independence, he w^as vice pre- 
sident of the state of Pennsylvania, and upon the 
death of president Wharton, in May, 1778, he was 
placed at the head of the government. 

In 1777, Mr. Bryan was elected a member of 
the legislature, of which he was one of the most 
intelligent, active and efficient. Here, amidst the 
tumult of war and invasion; surrounded with the 
tory and disaffected, when every one was tremb- 
ling for himself, his mind was occupied by the 
claims of humanity and charity. He, at this time, 
planned and completed an act for the gradual abo- 
iition of slavery, and which will remain an imper- 
ishable monument to his memory. These were 
the days 'Hhat ivied men^s souls ;^' and it was in 
those days that the patriotism, wisdom and firm- 
ness, of Mr. Bryan were conspicuously efficient 
and useful. He furnished evidence, that in oppo- 
sing the exactions of foreign power, he was oppo- 
sing tyranny, and was really attached to the cause 
of liberty. After this periotl, Mr. Bryan was a 
judge of the Supreme Court, in which station he 
continued until his death. In 1 784, he was elect- 
ed one of the council of censors, and was one of its 
most active members. 

Besides tlie offices already mentioned, judge 
Bryan filled a number of public, titulary, and 
eharltabie employments. Formed for a close ap- 
plication to study, animated with an ardent thirst 
for knowledge, and blessed with a memory of won- 
derful tenacity, and a clear, penetrating, and tlc- 
eisive judgment, he availed himself of the labours 
and acquisitions of otiiers, and brought honour to 
the stations which he occupied. To his othep at- 
I 2 



10!S Cx\DWALADER. 

tainmcnts, he added the virtues of the christaiiu 
He ^^as distinguished by his benevolence and sym- 
pathy with the distressed; by an unaffected liumil- 
ity and modesty; by his readiness to forgive inju- 
ries, and by his inflexible integrity. He was su- 
perior to the powers and blandishments of the 
woild. Thus eminently qualified for the various 
public offices in w hich he w as placed, he was hum- 
ble and faithful in discharging their duties, and 
he filled them with dignity and reputation in the 
worst of times, and in the midst of a torrent of un- 
merited obloquy, abuse, and opposition, When, 
on a certain occasion, some of his intimate friends 
desired him to permit them to answer a particular 
charge made against him, he replied, ''no my 
Trieiids, such things rankle not in my breast — mif 
.'IiaracJer mttst stand on my general condiictJ^ Sucli 
was his disinterestedness, and liis zeal for the pub- 
lic cause, and for the good of others, that his own 
interest seemed to have been wholly overlooked. 
In the administration of justice he was impartial 
and incorruptible. He w^as an ornament to the 
profession of Christianity, which he made the de- 
light of his connexions, and a public blessing to 
the state. By his death, religion lost an amiable 
example, and science a steady friend. 

CADWALADER, Joiik, born in Pliiladel- 
pliia, was distinguished for his zealous and inflex- 
ible adherence to the cause of America, and for his 
intrepidity as a soldier, in upholding that cause 
during the most discouraging periods of danger 
and misfortune. At the dawn of the revolution, 
he commanded a corps of volunteers, designated 
as 'Hhe silk stocking company f^ of which nearly 
all the memhei's w^ere appointed to commissions in 
ihe liiic of the army. He afterwards w as appoint- 
ed colonel of one of tlie city battalions; and, being 
ihence promoted to the rank of brigadier general, 
was intrusted witli the command of the FennsyU 



CADWALABER. lOS 

vania troops, in the important operations of the 
winter campaign of 1776 and 1777. He acted 
with his command, and as a volunteer, in the ac- 
tions of Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown and 
Monmouth, and other occasions; and received the 
thanks of general Washington, whose confidence 
and regard he uniformly enjoyed. 

Wlien general Washington determined to attack 
the British and Hessian troops at Trenton, lie 
assigned him the command of a division. In the 
evening of Christmas day, 1776, general Wasli- 
ington made arrangements to pass the river Dela- 
ware, in three divisions: one consisting of 500 
men, under general Cadwaiader, from the vicini- 
ty of Bristol; a second division, under the com- 
mand of general Irvine, was to cross at Trenton 
ferry, and secure the hridge leading to the town. 
Generals Cadwaiader and Irvine made every ex- 
ertion to get over, hut the quantity of ice was so 
great, that they could not effect their purpose. — 
The third, and main hody, which was command- 
ed hy general Washingiori, crossed at M*Konkey's 
ferry; but the ice in the river retarded their pas- 
sage so long, that it was three o'clock in the morn- 
ing, hefore the artillery could be got over. On 
their landing in Jersey, they were formed into two 
divisions, commanded by generals Sullivan and 
Greene, who had under their command brigadiers 
lord Stirling, Mercer, and St. Clair: one of these 
divisions was ordered to proceed on the lower, or 
river road, the other on the upper or Pentiington 
road. Colonel Stark, with some light troops, was 
also directed to advance near to the river? and to 
possess himself of that part of the tov/n, which is 
beyond the bridge. The divisions having nearly 
ihe same distance to march, were ordered imme- 
diately on forcing tlie out-guards," to push directly 
into Trenton, that they might charge the enemy 
before they had time to form. Though they march 



104 CADWALADER, 

ed different roads, yet tlicy arrived at the enemy's 
advanced post, within three minutes of each other. 
The out-guards of the Hessian troops at Trenton 
soon fvU back, but kept up a constant retreating 
lire. Their main body being liard pressed by tlie 
Americans, who had already got possession of half 
their artillery, attempted to file off by a road lead- 
ing towards Princeton, but w ere checked by a body 
of troops tlirown in their w ay. Finding they were 
surrounded, they laid down their arms. The num- 
ber which submitted, w as 23 oftlcers, and 886 men. 
Between 30 and 40 of the Hessians were killed and 
wounded. Colonel Rahl, was among the foruicr, 
and seven of his officers among the latter. Cap- 
tain Washington, of the Virginia troops, and five 
or six of the Americans w ere w onnded. Tw o were 
killed, and two or three were frozen to death. — 
The detachment in Trenton, consisted of the regi- 
ments of Rahl, Losberg, and Kniphausen, amount- 
ing in the whole to about 1500 men. and a troop of 
British light horse. All these were killed or cap- 
< ured, except about 600, who escaped by the road 
leading to Bordentown. 

The British had a strong battalion of light in- 
fantry at Princeton, and a force yet remaining 
near the Delaware, superior to the American ar- 
my. General Wasliington, therefore, in the even- 
ing of the same day, thought it most prudent to re- 
cross into Pennsylvania, with his prisoners. 

The next day after Washington's return, sup- 
posing him still on the Jersey side, general Cad- 
walader crossed with about 1500 men, andpur-sued 
the panic struck enemy to Burlington^ 

The merits and services of general Cadwalader, 
induced the congress, early in 1778, to compliment 
him by an unanimous vote, with the appointment 
of general of cavalry; which appointment he de- 
clined, under an impression that lie could be more 
usefiil to his country, in the sphere in which he? 
had been acting. 



CADWALADER. I05 

The victory at Trenton had a most happy effect, 
and General Washington, finding himself at the 
head of a force with which it was practicable to at- 
tempt sometliing, resolved not to remain inactive. 
Inferior as he was to the enemy, he yet determin- 
ed to employ tlie winter in endeavouring to recovei- 
the whole, or a great part of Jersey. The enemy 
were now collected in force at Princeton, under 
lord Cornwallis, where some works were thrown 
np. Generals Mifflin and Cadwalader, who lay al 
Bordentown and Crosswicks, with three thousand 
six hundred militia, were ordered to march up in 
the niglit of the first of January, 1777, to join the 
commander in cliief, whose whole force, with this 
addition, did not exceed five thousand men. He 
formed the hold and judicious design of abandon- 
ing the Delaware, and marching silently in the 
night by a circuitous route, along the left'flank of 
tlie enemy, into tlieir rear at Princeton, where he 
knew they could not be very strong. He reached 
Princeton early in the morning of the third, and 
would have completely surprised the British, had 
not a party, which Avas on their way to Trenton, 
descried his troops, when they were about two 
miles distant, and sent back couriers to alarm their 
fellow soldiers in the rear. A sharp action en- 
sued, which however was not of long duration. 
The militia, of which the advanced party was prin- 
cipally composed, soon gave v ay. General Mer- 
cer was mortally wounded while exerting himself 
to rally his broken troops. The moment was cri- 
tical. General Washington pushed forward, and 
placed himself betv.een his own men and the Bri- 
tish, with his liorse's head fronting the latter. The 
Americans, encoui-aged by his example, made a 
stasid, and returned the British fire. A party of 
tlie Britisli fled into tlie college, and were attacked 
witli field pieces. After receiving a few discharges 
they came out and surrendered themselves prisoners 



jOG CADWALADER. 

of Will'. In this action upwards of one liundreii 
of t!ie enemy were killed on tlie spot, and tliree 
hundred taken prisoners. Tiic Americans lost 
only a few, but colonels Haslet and Potter, two 
hrave and valuable ollicers, from Delaware and 
Pennsylvania, were among the slain. 

General Cadwalader's celebrated duel with ge- 
jieral Conway, arose from his spirited opposition 
to the intrigues of tliat officer, to undermine t]»e 
standing of the commander in chief. The anecdote 
relative to the duel, in ^^xVnecdotes of the Revolu- 
tionary War," by Alexander Garden, of Charles- 
ton, South Carolina, is not entirely correct. 

It will be recollected tliat general Conway was 
dangerously wounded, and while his recovery was 
doubtful, he addressed a letter to general Wasli- 
ing acknov.ledging thathe had done him injustice. 
Among many obituarv notices of General Cad- 
walader, this patriotic and exemplary man, the 
following outline of his cliaracter, in the form of 
amonumejital inscription, is selected from a Balti- 
more paper of the 24tli of February, 1786 : 
In memor}' of 
General John Cadwalader, 
Who died, February the 10th, 1786, 
At Shrewsbury, his seat in Kent County, 
In the 44th year of his age. 
This amiable and worthy Gentleman, 
Had served his Country 
With reputation. 
In the character of a 
Soldier and Statesmar. : 
He took an active part, and liad a principal 

Share, in the late Revolution, 

And, although he was zealous in the cause 

of American Freedom, 

His cortiluct was not mark'd v.ith tlie 

Least degree of malevolence, or party spirit. 

'I'hosc who honestly differed from him 



CLINTON. 107 

In opinion, 
lie always treated with singular tenderness. 
In sociability, and cheerfulness of temper, 
Honesty and goodness of heart. 
Independence of spirit, and warmth of 
Friendship, 
He had no superior, 
And few, very few equals: 
Never did any man die more lamented 
By his Friends, and Neighbours ; 
To his family, and near relations, 
His death was a stroke still more severe. 
CLINTON. James, was the fourth son of col- 
enel Charles Clinton, and was born on Thursday 
the 19th of August, 1736, at the house of his fa- 
ther, in Ulster county, in the colony of New York. 
In common v»ith his brothers, he v^as favoured 
with an excellent education. The vstudy of the 
exact sciences Avas his favourite pursuit; but the 
predominant inclination of his mind was to a mili- 
tary life. 

In the critical and eventful affairs of nations, 
vhen their rights and tlieir interests are invaded, 
.md when the most daring attempts are made to re- 
luce them to domestic tyranny or foreign subjuga- 
ion, Providence, in the plenitude of its benefit- 
ccnce, has generally provided men qualified to 
lead the van of successful resistance, and has infu- 
sed a redeeming spirit into the community which 
enabled it to rise superior to the calamities that 
menaced its liberty and its prosperity. The char- 
acters designed for these important ends, arc 
statesmen and soldiers. The first devise plans in 
the cabinet, and the second execute them in the 
field. At the commencement of the American re- 
volution, and during its progress to a glorious 
consummation, constellations of illustrious men 
appeared in the councils and the armies of the na- 
tion, illuminating by their wisdom and upholding 



108 CLINTON. 

by their energy: drawing forth ihe resources and 
vindicating the rights of America. In defiance 
of tlie most appalling considerations, liberty or 
death was insciibed on the heart of e^ ery patriot; 
and, drawing the s^^ ord, he consecrated it to the 
cause of Hea^ en and liis country, and determined 
to die or to co]K[i!er. 

iVii;idst ti)e gaj hint soldiers, whose services were 
demanded b\ the emerge ncies of tlie American re- 
volution, James Clinton. th^subje(t of this memoir, 
w as always conspicuous. To ;ui iron constitution 
and invincible courage, he added the militp.ry ex- 
perience w] icl) he acquired in the war of 1756, 
where he established his character as an intrepid 
and skilful officer; and the military knov.kdge 
which he obtained after the peace of 1763 b;v a 
close attention to the studies connected with his 
favourite profession. 

On the 31st of January, 1756, he was appointed 
by go^ ernor sir Charles Hardy, an ensign in the 
second regiment of militia for the county of Ulster; 
on the 25th March, 1758, by lieutenant governor 
Belancey, a lieutenant of a company in the pay of 
the province of New York; on the 7th March, 
1759, by the same lieutenant governor, a captain 
of a company of provincial troops; and in the three 
following years he w as successively re-appointed 
to tlie same station. On tlie 1 5th November, 1763, 
he was appointed by lieutenant governor C olden, 
captain commandant of tlie four companies in the 
pay of tlie province of New York, raised for the 
riefence of the western frontiers of tlie counties of 
Ulster and Orange, and captain of one of tlie said 
companies; and on the 18th March, 1774, lieuten- 
ant colonel of the second regiment of militia, in 
Ulster county. This detail is entered into not from 
a spirit of ostentation, but to show that he rose 
gradually and from step to step in his profession; 
not by intrigue, for he I' ad none: nor by the in flu- 



CLINTON. r09 

ciice of his family, for they were generally in op- 
position to the administration; hut by the force of 
merit, developing itself in the progress of time, and 
by the entire confidence justly reposed in his integ- 
rity, courage, and skill. 

In the war of 1756, commonly denominated the 
French war, he encountered, with cheerfulness, 
the fatigues and dangers of a military life. He 
was a captain under colonel Bradstreet, at the cap- 
ture of fort Frontenac, and he rendered essential 
service in that expedition in many respects, and 
particularly by the capture of a sloop of war on 
lake Ontario, which impeded the progress of the 
army. His company was placed in row-galleys* 
iind,' favoured by a calm, compelled the Frencls 
vessel to strike after an obstinate resistance. His 
designation as captain commandant of the four 
companies, raised for the protection of the western 
frontiers of the counties of Orange and Ulster, was 
?i post of great responsibility and hazard, and de- 
monstrated the coniidence of the government. The 
safety of a line of settlements, extending at least 
fifty miles, was intrusted to his vigilance and in- 
trepidity. The ascendancy of the French, over 
the ruthless savages, was always predominant, and 
ilie inhabitant of the frontiers was comj)elled to 
iiold the plough with one hand, for liis sustenance^ 
: md to grasp his gun with the other for his defence; 
and he was consiantly in danger of being awaken- 
<?d, in the liour of darkness, by tb.e war- whoop of 
the savages, to witness the conflagration of his 
ihvelling and the murder of his family. 

After the termination of Die French war, Mr. Cliu- 
•;.on married Mary Be Witt, a young lady of extra- 
ordinary merit, whose ancestors emigrated from 
Holland, and whose name proclaims their respec- 
tability ; and he retired from the camp to enjoy the 
-'•epose of domestic life. 

When the American? Revolution v/as on the cv^fi 
K. 



IIH CLINTOiS. 

of its commencement, he was appointed on the SUth 
June, 1775, by the continental congress, coh)nel ol' 
the 3(1 regiment of New- York forces. On tlie 25th 
of October following, he was appointed by the pro- 
vincial congress of New York, colonel of the regi- 
ment of foot in Ulster county; on the 8th of March, 
1776, by the continental Congress, colonel of the 
second battalion of New York troops ; and on the 
9th of August, 1776, a Brigadier General in the 
army of the United States; in which station he con- 
tinued during the greater part of the war, having 
the command of the New York line, or the troops 
of that state; and at its close he was constituted a 
Major General. 

In 1775, his regiment composed part ofthearnn 
under General Montgomery, which invaded Cana- 
da; and he participated in all the fatigues, dangers 
and privations, of that celebrated but unfortunate 
expedition. 

In October, 1777, he commanded at fort Clin- 
ton, which, together with its neighbour fort Mont- 
gomery, constituted the defence of the Hndsonri^ cr, 
against the ascent of an enemy. His brother, 
the governor, commanded in cliief at bolli forts. 
Sir Henry Clinton, with a view to create a diver- 
sion in favour of general Burgoyne, moved up the 
Hudson with an army of 4000 men, and attacked 
those works, which were very imperfectly fortified, 
and only defended by 500 men, composed princi- 
pally of militia. After a most gallant resistance, 
the forts were carried by storm. General Clin- 
ton was the last man who left the Avorks, and not 
until he was severely wounded by the thrust of a 
bayonet; pursued and fired at by the enemy, and 
his attending servant killed. He bled profusely, 
and when he dismounted from his war horse, in 
order to effect his escape from the enemy, who 
were close on him, it occurred to him that he must 
cither perish on the moiiutav?is or be captured, un- 



CLINTON. ill 

Jess he coiiui supply himself with another horse ; 
an animal v.hich sometimes roamed at large in 
that wild region. In this emergency he took the 
bridle from his horse and slid down a precipice of 
one hundred feet to the ravine of the creek Avhich 
separated the forts, and feeling cautiously his way 
along its precipitous banks, he reached the moun- 
tain at a distance from the enemy, after having fal- 
len into the stream, the cold water of which ar- 
rested a copious effusion of blood. The return of 
light furnished him with the sight of a horse, 
whicli conveyed him to his house, about sixteen 
miles from the fort, where he arrived about noon, 
covered with blood and labouring under a severe 
fever. In his helpless condition the British passed 
up the Hudson, within a few miles of his house, 
and destroyed the tov>^n of Kingston. 

The cruel ravages and horrible irruptions of the 
Iroquois, or six nations of Indians, on our frontier 
settlements, rendered it necessary to inflict a ter- 
rible chastisement, which would prerent a repeti- 
tion of their atrocities. An expedition was ac- 
cordingly planned, and the principal command 
was committed to general Sullivan, who Vvas to 
proceed up the Susquehanna, with the main body 
of the army, while general Clinton was to join him 
by the way of tlie Mohawk. 

The Iroquois inhabited, or occasionally occa- 
pied, tliat immense a,nd fertile region which com- 
poses the western parts of New York and Penn- 
sylvania, and besides their own ravages, from the 
ricinity of their settlements to the inhabited parts 
of the United States, they facilitated the inroads of 
the more remote Indians. When general Sulli- 
van was on his way to the Indian country, he was 
joined by general Clinton with upwards of sixteen 
hundred men. The latter had gone up the Mo- 
hawk in batteaux, from Schenectady, and after as- 
cending that river about fifty-four miles, he con- 



11^2 CLINTON. 

veyed his batteaux from Canajoharic to the liead 
of Otsego lake, one of the sources of the Susqiie- 
lianna. Finding the stream of v.atci*, in that 
river, too low to float his boats, he erected a dam 
across the mouth of the lake, which soon rose to 
the altitude of the dam. Having got his batteaux 
ready, lie opened a passage through the dam for 
the water to flow. This raised the river so liigh, 
that he was enabled to embark all Iiis troops: to 
float them down to Tioga, and to join general Sul- 
livan in good season. The Indians collected their 
strength at Newtown; took possession of proper 
ground and fortified it with judgment, and on the 
29th August, 1779, an attack was made on them; 
their works were forced, and their consternation 
was so great, tliat they abandoned all further re- 
sistance; for, as the Americans advanced into their 
settlements, they retreated before them Avithout 
throwing any obstructions in their way. The army 
passed between the Cayuga and Seneca lakes, by 
Geneva and Canandaigua, and as far west as the 
Genessce river, destroying large settlements and 
^ ilhiges, and fields of corn; orchards of fruit trees, 
and gardens abounding with esculent vegetables. 
The progress of the Indians in agriculture, struck 
the Americans with astonishment. Many of their 
ears of corn measured 22 inches in length. They 
had horses, cows, and hogs, in abundance. They 
manufactured salt and sugar, and raised the best 
of apples and peaches, and their dwellings were 
large and commodious. The desolation of their 
settlements, the destruction of their provisions, 
and the conflagration of their houses, drove them 
to the British fortress of Niagara for subsistence, 
^vhere, living on salt provisions, to which they 
were unaccustomed, they died in great numbers, 
and the effect of this expedition, was to diminish 
their population; to damp their ardour: to check 
their arrogance; to restrain their cruelty, and 



CLINTON. lis 

to inflict an irrecoverable blow on tlieir resour- 
ces of extensive aggression. 

For a considerable portion of the war, general 
Clinton was stationed at Albany, where be com- 
manded, in the northern department of the union, 
a place of high responsibility and requiring un- 
common vigilance and continual exertion. An in- 
cident occurred, when on this command, which 
strongly illustrates his character. A regiment 
which had been ordered to march, mutinied under 
arms, and peremptorily refused obedience. The 
general, on being apprised of this, immediately re- 
paired with his pistols to the ground: he went up 
to the head of the regiment and ordered it to march: 
a silence ensued and the order was not complied 
with. He then presented a pistol to tlie breast of 
a sergeant, who was the ringleader, and command- 
ed him to proceed on pain of death; and so on in 
succession along the line, and his command was, 
in every instance, obeyed, and the regiment resto- 
red to entire and complete subordination and sub- 
mission. 

General Clinton was at the siege of Yorktown 
and the capture of Cornwallis, where he distin- 
guished liimself by his usual intrepidity. 

His last appearance, in arms, was on the evacu- 
ation of the city of New York, by the British. He 
then bid the commander in chief a iinal and af- 
fectionate adieu, and retired to his ample estates, 
where he enjoyed that repose which was required 
by a long period of fatigue and privation. 

He was, however, frequently called from his re- 
tirement by the unsolicited voice of his fellow-citi- 
zens, to perform civic duties. He was appointed 
a commissioner to adjust the boundary line be- 
tween Pennsylvania and New York, which im- 
portant measure was amicably and successfully ac- 
complislied. He was also selected by the legislature 
fo^ an interesting mission to settle controversies 



il4 CLINTON. 

about lands in the west, wliicli also terminated iw 
vourably. He represented his native county in tliC 
assembly and in the convention that adopted tlic 
present constitution of the United States, and he 
was elected, without opposition, a senator from 
the middle district; all which trusts he executed 
with perfect integrity, witli solid intelligence, and 
w^ith the full approbation of his constituents. 

The temper of general Cliuton was mild and af- 
fectionate, but when raised by unprovoked or un- 
merited injury, he exhibited extraordinary and ap- 
palling energy. In battle he was as cool and as col- 
lected as if sitting by his fireside. Nature intended 
him for a gallant and efficient soldier, when slie 
endowed him with tlie faculty of entire seli-posscs- 
sion in the midst of the greatest dangers. 

He died on the 22d of December, 1812, and was 
interred in the family burial place in Orange coun^ 
ty, and his monumental stone bears the following 
inscription: 

<*Underneat]i arc interred the remains of James 
Clinton, Esquire. 

" He was born the 9th of August, 1736; and died 
the 22d of December, 1812. 

"His life was principally devoted to the military 
service of his country, and he had filled with fidel- 
ity and honour, several distinguished civil offices. 
"He was an officer in the revolutionary war. and 
the war preceding; and, at the close of the former, 
was a major general in the army of the United 
States. He was a good man and a sincere pati'iot, 
performing, in the most exemplary manner, all 
the duties of life: and lie died, as he lived, with- 
out fear, and without reproach.'' 

CLINTON, George, fonnerly governor of the 
.^tate of New York, and vice-president of the Uni- 
ted States, was born on the 26th July, 1739, in 
-Jae county of Ulster, in the colony of New York. 
lie was the youngest son of colonel Charles Clin- 



CLI-NTON. 1^5- 

t<jQ, an emigrant from Ireland, and a gentleman of 
distinguished worth and high consideration. 

He was educated, principally, under the eye of 
his fatlier, and received the instruction of a learn- 
ed minister of the presbyterian church, who had 
graduated in the university of Aberdeen: and, af- 
ter reading law, in the office of William Smith, af- 
terwards chief justice of Canada, he settled him- 
self in that profession in the county of his nativi- 
ty, where he rose to eminence. 

In 1768, he took his seat as one of the members 
of the colonial assembly, for the county of Ulster, 
and he continued an active member of that body 
until it was merged in the revolution. His energy 
of character, discriminating intellect, and undaun- 
ted courage, plaeed him among the chiefs of the 
whig party; and he was always considered pos- 
sessed of a superior mind and master spirit, on 
which his country might rely, as an asylum in the 
most gloomy periods of her fortunes. 

On the 22d of April, 1775. he was chosen by 
the provincial convention of New York, one of the 
delegates to the continental congress, and took his 
seat in that illustrious body on the 15th of May. 
On the 4th of July, 1776. he was present at the 
glorious declaration of independence, and assent- 
ed, with his usual energy and decision, to tliat 
measure; but having been appointed a brigadier 
general in the militia, and also in the army, ViiG 
exigencies of his country, at that trying hour, ren- 
dered it necessary for him to take the field in per- 
son, and he therefore retired from congress imme- 
diately after his vote was given, and before the in- 
strument was transcribed for the signature of the 
members; for which reason his name does not ap- 
pear among the signers. 

A constitution having been adopted for the state 
of New York, on the 20th ApriL 1777, he was cho- 
sen at the first election under it, both governor ami 



116 eLINTON, 

lieutenant governor, and lie was continued iuthefoi - 
iner office for eighteen yeai's, by triennial elections; 
when, owing to ill health, and a respect for the 
republican principle of lotation in office, he decli- 
ned a re-election. 

During the icvolutionary war, he cordially co- 
operated with tlie immortal Washington, and with- 
out his aid, the army would have been disbanded, 
and the northern separated from the southern 
states, by the intervention of Britisli troops. He 
was always at his post in the times tliat tried men's 
souls: at one period repelling tJie advances of the 
enemy fiom Canada, and at anotliei*, meeting them 
in battle wiien approaclsJng from the south. His 
gallant defence of fort Montgomery, with a hand- 
ful of men, against a powerful force commanded 
by sir Henry Clinton, wjis equally honourable to 
his intrepidity and his skill. 

The following are the particulars of his gallant 
conduct at the storming of forts Montgomery and 
Clinton, in October. 1777: 

'•''When the British reinforcements, under gene- 
ral Robertson, amounting to nearly 2000 men. ar- 
rived from Europe, sir Henry Clinton used the 
greatest exertion, and availed himself of every fa- 
vourable circumstance, to put tliese troops into iui- 
mediate operation. Many were sent to suitable 
vessels, and united in tlie expedition, whicli con- 
sisted of about 4000 men, against the forts in the 
higlilands. Having made the necessary arrange- 
ments, he moved up the North River, and landed 
®n ihQ 4th of October at Tarry -town, purposely to 
impress general Putnam, under whose command a 
thousand continental troops had been left, with a 
belief, that his post at Peek's-kill was the object 
of attack. At eight o'clock at night, the general 
communicated the intelligence to governor Clin- 
ton, of tlie arrival of the Britisli, and at the same 
rime expressed his opinion respecting their destina- 



CLITSTON. 117 

tioii. The designs of sir Henry were immediate- 
ly perceived by the governor, who prorogued the 
assembly on the following day, and arrived that 
night at Fort Montgomery. The British troops, 
in tlic mean time, were secretly conveyed across 
the river, and assaults upon our forts were medita- 
ted to be made on the 6th, which were accordingly 
put in execution, by attacking the American ad- 
vanced party at Doodletown, about two miles and 
a half from fort Montgomery. The Americans 
received the lire of the British, and retreated to 
fort Clinton. The enemy then advanced to tha 
west side of the mountain, in order to attack our 
troops in the rear. Governor Clinton immediate- 
ly ordered out a detachment of one hundred mea 
toward Doodletown, and another of sixty, with a 
brass field piece, to an eligible spot on another 
roatl. They were both soon attacked by the whole 
force of the enemy, and compelled to fall back. It 
has been remarked, that the talents, as well as 
the temper of a commander, are put to as severe a 
test in conducting a retreat, as in achieving a vic- 
tory. The truth of this governor Clinton expe- 
rienced, when, with great bravery, and the most 
pei'fect order, he retired till he reached the fort. 
He lost no time in placing his men in the best man- 
ner that circumstances would permit. His post, 
hov/ever, as well as fort Clinton, in a few minutes, 
were invaded on every side. In the midst of this 
disheartening and appalling disaster, he was sum- 
moned, when the sun w as only an hour Jiigh, to 
surrender in five minutes; but his gallant spirit 
sternly refused to obey the call. In a short time 
after, the British made a general and most desper- 
ate attack on both posts, which was received by 
the Americans with undismayed courage and resis- 
tance. Officers and men, militia and continentals, 
all behaved alike brave. An incessant fire was 
kept up till dusk, when our troops were overpow- 



118 CLINTON. 

creil by luimbcis, wlio forced the li}ics rvml le 
doubts at bolli posts. ISTaiiy of tlic Amciicans 
fouglit tlieir ^vay out, others acridentally mixed 
with the oieuiy, and tints made their escape ellec- 
tually; for, besides being favoured by the uight, 
they knew the various avenues in the mountains. 
The governor, as well as his brotlier, general 
.Tames Clinton, who was wounded, v, ere not taken.'' 

The administration of goveinor Clinton, was 
characterised by wisdom and patriotism. He was 
a republican in priiiciple and practice. After a 
retirement of five years, he was called by the citi- 
zens of the city and county of New York to repre- 
sent them in the assembly of the state; and to his 
influence and popularity may be ascribed, in a 
great degree, the change in his native state, which 
finally produced the important political revolution 
of 1801. 

At that period, much against bis inclination, but 
from motives of patriotism, he consented to an elec- 
tion as governor, and in 1805, he was chosen Vice 
President of tlje United States, in which office he 
continued until his death; presiding with great dig- 
nity in tlie Senate, and evincing by his Aotcs and 
his opinions, liis decided hostility to constructive 
authority, and to innovations on the established 
principles of republican government. 

He died at Washington, v,hen attending to hib^ 
duties as Vice President^ and was interred in that 
city, where a monument v^ as erected by the filial 
piety of bis children, with this inscjiption, writ- 
ten by his nephew: 

*' To the memory of George Clinton. He was 
born in the state of New Yoik on the 26th of July, 
1739, and died in the city of Washington, on the 
20th April, 1812, in the 7Sd year of his age. He 
was a soldier and statesman of the resolution. 
Eminent in council, and distinguished in war, he 
iilled, with unexampled usefulness, purity and.. 



CLINTON. liy 

itbility, among many other offices, those of ^o^'Cl•n. 
or of his native state, and of vice-president of fiV. 
United States. While he lived/his^v^^^^^^^^^ 
and vaiour, were the pride, the ornament and se- 
en ityot his country; and when he died, he left an 
:KS-o^ri''-f-ve,, spent life, .orth/o" 

cd a place .,. the lustory of his counu'y as George 

tlwZ' l^'" I"'"?'"*''' "'■"'"« will increase the 

1 loli. , encrafon, and thicken the laurels that cover 
Ills liionument. 

Geoi-e^S' ^"^^^l'' .«'« father of James and 
ofNe« V ' "■««/''«t"'S"is!iea i„ the colony 

o Nexv \ ork, as a gentleman of pure n.orals. strong 
^ Lr "^^«' intellect, great respectability, a, d 
oxtens.ve influence. His grand fathei-. W lliam 

2 Ph",- ''^' %' ^'""^'•'^"t »'' C''a.'les the first, h 

'ook';rf T,*''" ''<^«"-«n«ne"t of that monarch, 

rem no^^n T *''^««»«'.'^^»t "f Europe, where he 

■en^l M I'^i"""' '" '=-^"''- Il« afterwards 
..UK secre ly to Scotland, where he married and 

f li r T'' *^"'' S'^eatersecnrity. to the north 
fl! eland, where he died deprived of his patrimo- 
; IH '"\t'''"™'S James, an orphan son, two years 
T', ,"f" J''"''^s a'"'''^"ed to manhood, he went to 
to'" .oT ^ fecoyerhis patrimonial estate, hut he- 
.ng barred by tie limitation of an act of parlia- 
ment, he retui-ned to Ireland, and finally settled in 
tlie county of Longford, haviiig married, on his ^ isit 
to tie country of his ancestors, miss Elizabeth 
smith, the daughter of a cairtain in Cromwell's 
army; by which connexion, he was enabled to main- 
lain, at that time, a respectable standins; in the 
coimtry of his adoption. ° 

„-., !f' ■''=* <^l'"tf>n- the subject of this memoir. 
, ,v,^.i f ? «f James Clinton, and was born in the 
todiity ol Longford, in Ireland, in 16P0. In ir<29, 



120 CLIJSTOIS. 

he came to a determination to emigrate to British 
America, and liaving persuaded a number of his 
relations and friends to co-operate with him, he 
chartei'ed a slup for the purpose of conveying his 
little colony to Phiiatieipliia By the terms of the 
Charter Party, the passengers were to be liberally 
supplied with provisions and other accommoda- 
tions* and the vessel wa:- to be na^ igated by Iion- 
est and skilful hi\nds. On tlie 20th of May,*^ 17 29, 
the sliip left Ireland. Besi(!cs his wife, he had 
tw o daughters and one son w ith him. After being 
at sea for some time, it w as discovered that the 
commander of the vessel w^as a ruftian, and had 
probabhv^ formed a deliberate design of starving 
the passengers to death, either w ith a view to ac- 
quire their property or to deter emigration. He 
actually killed a man, and continued so long at 
sea, that the passengers were i-educed to an allow- 
ance of half a biscuit and half a pint of w ater a 
day. In consequence of which many of tliem died, 
and Mr. Clinton lost a son and daughter. In this 
aw ful situation, the remedy of seizing the captain 
and committing the navigation of the vessel to x\lr. 
Clinton, who was an excellent mathematician, oc- 
curred to the passengers; but they were prevented 
by the fear of incurring the guilt of piracy, espe- 
cially as they could not obtain the co-operation or 
assistance of tlie oflicers of the ship. They were 
finally compelled to give the captain a large sum 
of money, as a commutation for their lives, and on 
the 4th of October, he landed them at Cape Cod. 
After lea^ ing the s!iip, slie was driven from iicr 
moorings in a stormy night and lost. Mr. Clii> 
ton and his friends continued in that part of the 
country until the spring of 1731; v/hen he removed 
to tlie county of Ulster, in the colony of New York, 
where he fornicd a flourishing settlement. This 
misconduct of the commander of tlie vessel, divert- 
t'd })im from his orisjifial design of settling in Pcnu 



CLINTON. 1£1 

f^jlyania. The country wliicli he selected was 
wild and uncultivated; covered with forests, sup- 
l^licd with streams, diversified with hills and val- 
leys, and abundant in the products of cultivation; 
hut so exposed (altliough only eight mile.s from tliQ. 
Hudson river and sixty from\he city of New York) 
to the incursions of the savages, that Mr. Clinton 
considered it necessary to erect a palisade work 
round his house fur the security of himself and his 
tieighbours. 

In this sequestered retreat he devoted himself to 
the cultivation of a large farm, and he occasional- 
ly acted as a surveyor of land: a profession, wliicU 
at that time and sinc^, has been followed by the 
most respectable men of this country. His leisure 
moments were devoted to study and writing, Pos- 
sessed of a well selected library, and endowed with, 
extraordinary talents, lie made continual acces- 
sions to his stores of useful knowledge. 

Merit so distinguished, and respectability so un-^ 
doubted, ath-acted the favourable notice of the ao- 
rernment and tlic commujiity. He was soon ap- 
pointed a justice of the j)eare, and a judge of the 
county of Ulster. In 1 756, he was appointed by the 
governor, sir Charles Hardy, lieutenant colonel of 
the second regiment of militia foot, for tlie countv 
of Ulster. On the 24th Marcli, 175% h.- was ap- 
pointed by lieutenant governor Delancey, a lieu- 
tenant colonel of oiie of the battalions of tiie rea:i- 
ment, m the province of New York, wliereof OJi- 
ver Dclancey was colonel; in which capacity he en- 
gaged in actual service, and acted under the com- 
^iiaml of colonel Bradstreet. at ih^ siea:e and ca^}- 
ture of fort Froutenac, (now Ki:)gston,) on tha 
:>iorth side of lake Ojitario. In 1753, Georo-e 
Clinton, the father of sir Henry Clinton, was in- 
stailed as governor of the colony. An intimacy 
■oolv place between him and Mr. Clintoiu in co'^^ 
-^riuencc of wliidn inid their distant comaui^muli^.^ 



a-2^ CLIKTOiN. 

'the latter was earnestly solicited by his liamesake. 
to accept ot* a lucrative and distinguished office; 
but preferring the cliarnis of I'ctiremcnt, and tho 
tniltivation of literatui-e, to the cares of public life^ 
he declined every overture of the kind. His son 
"Geoi'ge, who was named after the colonial go^ern- 
or, was honoured by his early attentions, and 're- 
ceived from Ids friendship, the valuable office of 
clerk of the county. Mr. Clinton was also on 
terms of intimacy with several of the colonial chief 
magistrates, and the leading men of the province; 
and he is respectfully noticed by Smith, the histo- 
rian of New York, for liis ingenuity and know- 
ledge. Besides the daughter born in Ireland, Mr. 
•Clinton had four sons in this country. Alexander, 
educated in the college at Princeton, and afterwards 
a physician ; Charles, also an eminent physician 
and a surgeon in the army which took Havanna, in 
the Island of Cuba; James, a major general in the 
revolutionary army, and George, Governor of the 
state of New York, and Vice President of the Uni- 
ted States. He was peculiarly happy and fortu- 
nate in his children. Having devoted particular 
attention to their education, he liad the satisfaction 
of seeing them possessed of the regard of their 
cijuntry, and worthy of the veneration of posterity. 

He died at his place, in Ulster, now Orange 
oounty, on the 19th day of November, 1773, in his 
83d year, just in time to escape, at that advanced 
age, the cares and perplexities of the revolution: 
but foreseeing its approach, he expired breathing 
an ardent spirit of patriotism, and conjuring his 
sons, in his last moments, to stand b;y the liberties 
of America. 

Mr. Clinton possessed an uncommon genius; a 
penetrating understanding; a solid judgment, and 
an extensive fund of useful and ornamental knoAv 
ledge, witli the affability and manners of an ac 
romplished gentleman. His person was tail, ei'cc? 



DAVID SOK. m: 

aiid gracciuly and his appearance impressive and 
(ligoilicd. If he happened to be in the company of 
yoinig people, their first impressions would be 
those of awe and reverence, but in the course of a 
few minutes, he would enter into the most pleasing 
and instructive conversation? which would soon 
restore their composure, and never failed of inspi- 
ring tlie most grateful attacliment and the most 
respectful confidence. He ^Yas a dutiful son; an 
affectionate husband; a kind father; a good neigh- 
bour; a disinterested patriot, and a sincere Chris- 
tian. He sometimes retired from the cares of bus- 
iness and the severe studies of the exact sciences, 
and took refuge in music and poetry, n.nd courted 
the communion of Apollo and the muses. 

The followin:;: lines, written by him on the grave 
of a beloved and elder sister, were casually pre- 
served, and will show the kind aiTections which an- 
imated his bosom, and which attended him in all 
the relations and charities of life. 

Oh) cans't thou know, thou dear departed shade! 
The mighty sorrows that my soul invade, 
V\^hilst o*ei thy mould'ring frame I mourning stand. 
And view thy j^rave far from thy native land. 
"With thee ray tender years were early train'd, 
"Oft have thy friendly arms my weight sustain'd, 
And when with childish freaks or pains opnres't, 
You, with soft music, luU'd my soul to rest. 

DAVIDSON, William, lieutenant colonel com- 
mandant in the North Carolina line, and briga- 
dier general in the militia of that state, was the 
youngest son of George Davidson, who removed 
with his family, from Lancaster county, in Penn- 
sylvania, in the year 1750, to Rowan county, in 
North Carolina. 

William was born in the year 1746, and was 
educated in a plain country manner, at an acade- 
my in Charlotte, the county town of Mecklenburg;,' 
which adjoins Rowan.> 



1^24 I> AVID SON. 

Like most of the enterprising youth of America. 
Davidson repaired to the standard of his country, 
on the commencement of the revolutionary war, and 
was a])pointed a major in one of tlie first regiments 
formed by the government of NoHh Carolir.a. 

In this character, he marched with the North 
Carolina line, under brigadier general Nash, to 
the main army in New Jersey, \\ here he served 
nnder the commander in chief, nntil the North 
Carolina line Mas detached in November, 1779, 
to reinforce the southern army, commanded by 
major general Lincoln. Previous to this event, 
major Davidson was promoted to the command oi 
a regiment, with the lank of lieutenant colonel 
commandant. 

As he passed through North Carolina, David- 
son obtained permission to visit his family, fiom 
which he had been absent nearly three years. — 
The delay produced by this visit saved him from 
captivity, as he found Charlesto]i so closely in^ es- 
ted when he arrived in its neighbourhood, as to 
prevent his rej unction with his regiment. 

Soon after the surrender of general Lincoln and 
Jus army, the loyalists of North Carolina, not 
doubting the complete success of the royal forces* 
began to embody themselves for the purpose of 
contributing their active aid in tlie field to the 
.subsequent operations of the British general. — 
They were numerous in the western parts of the 
state, and especially in the highland settlement 
about Cross creek. Lientenant colonel Davidson 
put himself at the head of some of our militia, 
called out to quell the expected insurrection. He 
proceeded w ith vigour in tlie execution of his trust; 
and in an engagement with a party of loyalists 
near Calson's mill, he was severely wounded; the 
ball entered the umbilical region, and passed 
through his body near the kidneys. This con- 
lined him for eight weeks; when recovering, he ii;- 



DAVIDSON. I2n 

stantly took the field, having been recently ap- 
pointed brigadier general by the government of 
Nortli Carolina, in the place of brigadier general 
Rutherford, taken at the battle of Camden. H& 
exerted himself, in conjunction with general Sum- 
ner and colonel Davie, to interrupt the progress of 
lord Cornwallis in his advance towards Salisbury, 
and throughout that eventful period, gave unceas- 
ing evidences of his zeal and firmness in uphold- 
ing his falling country. 

After the victory obtained by Morgan at the 
Cowpens, Davidson was among the most active of 
his countrymen in assembling the militia of liis 
district, to enable general Greene, who had join- 
ed tlie light corps under Morgan, to stop the pro- 
gress of the advancing enemy, and was detached 
by general Greene, on the night of the last day of 
January^ to guard the very ford selected by lord 
Cornvvailis for his passage of the Catawba river 
on the next morning. Davidson possessed himself 
of the post in the niglit, at the head of three hun- 
dred men ; and having placed a picquet near the 
shore, stationed his corps at some small distance 
fTom the ford. 

General Henry Lee, from whose ^* memoirs of 
the war in the Southern department of the United 
States, we copy the present sketcli of General Da- 
vidson, gives the following account of the battle : 

^^A disposition was immediately made, to dis- 
lodge Davidson, which the British general O'Ha- 
ra. with the guards effected. Lieutenant colonel 
Hall, led with the light company, followed by the 
grenadiers. The current was rapid, the stream 
waist deep, and five hundred yards in width. The 
soldiers crossed in platoons, supporting each othcrs^ 
steps. When lieutenant colonel Hall reached the 
river, he was descried by the American sentinels^ 
\yhose challenge and fire brought Davidson's corps 
into array. Deserted by his guide, Hall passed: 



!-:'« DAVIDSON. 

directly across, not knowing the landing place, 
whicli lay below him. This deviation from the 
common course, rendered it necessary for David- 
son to incline to the right; but this manoeuvre, al- 
though promptly performed, was not effected imtil 
the light infantry had gained the shore. A fierce 
conflict ensued, which was well supported by Da- 
vidson and his inferior force. The militia at length 
yielded, and Davidson, while mounting his horse 
to direct the retreat, was killed. The corps dis- 
persed and sought safety in the woods. Our loss 
was small, excepting general Davidson, an active, 
zealous and influential oflicer. The Britisli lieu- 
tenant colonel Hall was also killed, w ith tlirec of 
tlie light infantry, and thirty-six were wounded. 
Lord Cornwallis's horse was shot under him. and 
fell as soon as he got upon tlie shore. Leslee's 
horses v»ere cari'ied down the stream, and with 
difiiculty saved; and O^IIara^s tumbled over witk 
hisn in tlie water,'' 

The loss of brigadier general Davidson would 
have always been felt in any stage of the Avar. It 
was particularly detrimental in its effect at thi& 
period, as he was the cliief instrument relied upon 
by general Greene for the assemblage of the mili- 
tia j an event all inipoi'tant at this crisis, and 
anxiously desired by the American general. The 
ball passed through his breast, and he instantly 
fell dead. 

This promising soldier was thus lost to his conn- 
try in the meridian of life, and at a moment when 
his services would have been highly beneficial to 
her. He w as a man of popular manners, pleasing 
address, active and indefatigable. Enamoured 
with the profession of arms, and devoted to the 
great cause for which he fought, his future useful- 
ness may be inferred from his former conduct. 

The congress of the United States, in gratitude 
fbr his services, and in commemoration of their 



DICKINSON. t9X 

sciisc of Ilis worth, passed the following resolu- 
tion directing the erection of a monument to his 
memory. 

Resolved, That the governor and council of the 
state of North Carolina, be desired to erect a mon- 
ument, at the expense of the United States, not ex- 
ceeding the value of five hundred dollars, to the 
memory of the late brigadier general Davidson, 
who commanded the militia of the district of Salis- 
bury, in the state of North Carolina, and was 
killed on the first day of February last, fighting 
gallantly in the defence of the liberty and indepen- 
dence of these states, 

DICKINSON, John, a distinguished political 
writer and friend of his countiy, was the son of 
Samuel Dickinson, esquire, of Delaware. He was 
a member of the assembly of Pennsylvania, in 
1764, and of the general congress in 1765. Iw 
November, 1767, he began to publish his celebra- 
ted letters against the acts of the British parlia- 
ment, laying duties on paper, glass, &c. They 
supported the liberties of his country, and contri- 
buted much to the American revolution. He was 
a member of the first congress in 1774, and the pe- 
tition to the king, which was adopted at this time^ 
and is considered as an elegant composition, was 
v,ritten by him. 

He w^as the author of the declaration adoptedi by 
the Congress of 1775, setting forth the causes and 
necessity of their taking up arms; which declara- 
tion w as directed to he published by general Wash- 
ington, upon his arrival at the camp before Bos- 
ton, in July 1775. He also wrote the second pe- 
tition to the king, adopted by the same congress^ 
stating the merits of tlieir claims and soliciting the 
royal interposition for an accommodation of dif- 
ferences on just principles. These several ad- 
dresses were executed in a masterly manner, and 
were well calculated to make friends to the co- 



128 DICKINSOX. 

lonies. But tlicir petition to the king, ^vllich 
was drawn up at the same time, produced more 
solid advantages in fa\our of tlie American cause, 
than any other of their productions. This was, in 
a great measure, carried through congress hy 
Mr. Dickinson. Several memhers, judging from 
the violence with which parliament proceeded 
against tlie colonies, were of opinion, that farther 
petitions were nugatory; but this worthy citizen, 
a friend to both countries, and devoted to a recon- 
ciliation on constitutional principles, urged the ex- 
pediency and policy of trying, once more* the effect 
of an liumhle, decent, and firm petition, to the com- 
mon head of tlie empire. The high opinion tiiat 
was conceived of liis patriotism and abilities, in- 
duced the members to assent to the measure, though 
they generally conceived it to be labour lost. 

In June, 1776, he opposed openly, and upon 
principle, the declaration of independence, when 
the motion was considered by Congress. His ar- 
guments were answered by John Adams, Ricliard 
Henry Lee, of Virginia, and otliers, wiio ad- 
vocated a separation from Great Britain. The 
part which Mr. Dickinson took in this debate, oc- 
casioned his rccal from congress, as his constitu- 
ents did not coincide with him in political views, 
and he vras absent several years. Percei^ing, at 
length, that his countrymen were unalterably fixed 
in their system of independence, he fell in with i(v 
and was as zealous in supporting it in congress, 
about the year 1780, as any of the members. He 
was president of Pennsylvania from No\ember, 
1782, to October, 1785, and was succeeded in this 
office by Dr. Franklin. Soon after 1785, it is be- 
lieved, he removed to Delaware, by which state he 
was appoirited a member of the old congi'css, and 
of which state iie was president. 

He filled with ability the various high stations 
in which he was placed. He was distinguished hy 



Dickinson: 129 

his strcngtli of mind, miscellaneous kno\vledge, and 
cultivated taste, wliich were united with a habitual 
eloquence ; with an elegance of manners, and a be- 
nignity w hich made him the delight as well as the 
ornament of society. The infirmities of declining 
years had detached him long before his death, from 
the busy scenes of life ; but in retirement his pa- 
triotism felt no abatement. The welfare of his 
country w as ever dear to him, and he was ready to 
make any sacrifices for its promotion. Unequivo- 
cal in liis attachment to a republican government, 
lie invariably supported, as iar as his voice could 
have influence, those men and those measures, 
which he believed most friendly to republican prin- 
ciples. He was esteemed for his uprightness, and 
the purity of his morals. From a letter which he 
wrote to James Warren, Esquire, dated the 25th of 
'the first month, 1805, it would seem that he was a 
member of tlic society of friends. He published a 
speech delivered in the house of Assembly of Penn- 
sylvania, 1764; a reply to a speech of Joseph Gal- 
loway, 1765; late regulations respecting the colo- 
nies considered, 1765; letters from a farmer in 
Pennsylvania to the inhabitants of the British co- 
lonies, 1767—1768. 

The following is an extract from an address of 
Congress, to the several states, dated May 26, 
1779, which was also from the pen of Mr. Dickin- 
son : 

^' Infatuated as your enemies have been from the 
beginning of this contest, do you imagine they can 
now flatter tliemselves with a hope of conquering 
you, unless you are false to yourselves ? 

"" When unprepared, undisciplined, and unsup- 
ported, you opposed their fleets and armies in full 
conjoined force, then, if at any time, was conquest 
to be apprehended. Yet, what progress towards it 
have their violent and incessant efforts made ? 
Judge from their own conduct, Having devoted 



130 -DICKINSON. 

you to bondage, and after vainly ^vasiing their 
blood and treasure intlie disjionourablc enterprise^ 
they deigned at length to offer terms of accommo- 
dation, with respectful addresses, to that once des- 
pised body, the coiigress, whose humble supplica- 
tions only for peace, liberty and safety, tliey had 
contemptuously rejected, under pretence of its be- 
ing an unconstitutional assembly. Nay more, desi- , 
rous of seducing you into a deviation from the 
paths of rectitude, from wliicli they had so fcir and 
so rashly wandered, they made most specious offers 
to tempt you into a ^ iolation of your faith given to 
your illustrious ally. Their arts were as unavail- 
ing as their ai'ms. Foiled again, and stung witii 
rage, imbittered by eiwy, they had no alternative, 
but to renounce the inglorious and ruinous contro- 
versy, or to resume their former modes of prosecut- 
ing it. They chose the latter. Again the sa^vages 
are stimulated to horrid massacres of women and 
children, and domestics to the murder of their mas- 
ters. Again our brave and unhappy brethren are 
doomed to miserable deaths, in goals and prison- 
ships. To complete the sanguinary system, all the 
" EXTREMITIES of w ar'' arc by authority denoun- 
ced against you. 

"Piously endeavour to derive this consolation from 
their remorseless fury, that ** the Father of Mer- 
cies" looks down with disapprobation on such au- 
dacious defiances of his holy laws ; and be further 
comforted with recollecting, that the arms assumed 
by you in your righteous cause have not been sul- 
lied by any unjustifiable severities. 

"Your enemies despairing, however, as it seems, 
of the success of tlieir united forces against ou!^ 
main army, have divided them, as if their design 
was to harrass you by predatory, desultory opera 
tions. If you are assiduous in improving oppor- 
tunities, Saratoga may not be the only spot on this 
continent to give a new denomination to the balflc<l 



BICKINSO'IS; vsi 

it^oi)s oi' a nation, impiously priding herself in no- 
tions of her omnipotence. 

- Rouse yourseh es, therefore, that this campaign 
may iinish the great work you have so nobly car- 
ried on for several years past. What nation ever 
engaged m such a contest, under such a complica- 
tion of disadvantages, so soon surmounted many of 
them, and in so short a period of time had so cer- 
tain a prospect of a speedy and happy conclusion. 
S\e will venture to pronounce, that so remarkable 
an instance exists not in the annals of uiankind. 
We well remember Avhat you said at the commence^ 
ment of this war. You saw tlw3 immense difFerence 
between your circumstances, and those of your ene- 
mies, and you knew the quarrel must decide on no 
less than your lives, libci-ties, and estates. 411 
these you greatly put to every hazard, resolving 
rather to die freemen than to live slaves ; and jus- 
tice will oblige the impartial world to confess Vou 
have uniforiiily acted on the same generous princi- 
ple. Consider how much you have done, and how 
comparatively little remains to be done to crown 
you with success. Perse\ ere ; and vou iosura 
])eace, freedom, safety, glory, sovereignty, and feli- 
city to yourselves, your children, and your chil- 
dren's children. 

•^^ Encouraged by favours already received from 
Infinite Goodness, gratefully acknowledging them^ 
earnestly imploring their continuance, constantly 
endeavouring to draw them down on your heads by 
an amendment of your lives, and a conformity to 
the Divine will, humbly confiding in the protection 
so often and wonderfully experienced, vigorously 
employ the means placed by Providence in your 
iiands, for completing your labours. 

*^ Fill up your battaUons ; be prepared in everj 
])ait to repel the incursions of your enemies ; plac*e 
vour several quotas in the continental treasury; 
lend money lor public uses : sink the emissions &f 



1S5 DIIAYTON. 

your respective states; provide effectually lor expe- 
diting the conveyance of supplies for your armies 
and fleets, and for your allies; prevent the produce 
of the country from being monopolized; effectually 
supei'intend the behaviour of public officers ; dili- 
gently promote piety, virtue, brotherly love, learn- 
ing, frugality and moderation ; and may you be 
approved before Almighty God, worthy of those 
blessings we de^ outly wish you to enjoy." 

Mr. Dickinson's political writings were col- 
lected and published in two volumes 8vo. 1801. — 
He died at AYilmington, in tlie state of Delaware, 
February 15, 1808, at an advanced age. 

DIIAYTON, William Henri, an ardent pa- 
triot, and a political writer of considerable emi- 
nence, was a nati\ e of South Carolina. He was 
one of his majesty's justices in that province, when 
they made tlicir last circuit in the spring of 1775, 
and the only one born in America. In his charges 
to the grand jury he inculcated the same sentiments 
in favour of liberty, which v, ere patronized by the 
popular leaders. Soon afterwards he was elected 
president of the provincial congress, and devoted 
Ills great abilities witli uncommon zeal for the sup- 
port of the measures adopted by his native country, 
in 1774, he wrote a pamplilet, addressed to the 
American congress, under tlie signature of a * Free- 
man,' in which he stated the grievances of Ameri- 
ca, and drew up a bill of American rights. He 
published his charge to \he grand jury, in April 
1776, wliich breathes all the spirit and energy of 
the mind, vrhich knows the value of freedom, and 
is determined to support it. 

The following is an extract from the charge : 

** In sliort, I think it my duty to declare in the 
awful seat of justice, and before Almighty God. 
that in my opinion, the Americans can have no 
safety but by the Divine favour, their own virtue, 
iind their being so jsnulent as not to leave it in thf 



BRAYTON. 15S 

ihe power of the British rulers to injure them. In- 
dcedj the ruinous and deadly injuries received on 
our side; and the jealousies entertained, and which, 
in the nature of things, must daily increase against 
lis, on the other; demonstrate to a mind, in the least 
given to reflection upon the rise and fall of em- 
pires, that true reconcilement never can exist be- 
tween Great Britain and America, the latter being 
ill subjection to the former. The Almighty crea- 
ted America to be independent of Britain: Let us 
beware of the impiety of being baclvv> ard to act as 
instruments in the Alnrighty liand, now extended 
to accomplish his purpose; and by the completion 
of N^liich alone, America, in the nature of luiman 
affairs, can be secure against the craft and insidi- 
ous designs of her enemies who think her prosperity 
and j^ower AJ^n^xBY by far too great. In a 
word, our piety and political* safety are so blend- 
ed, that to refuse our labours in this Divine work, 
is to refuse to be a great, a free, a pious, and a 
i-iappy people! 

"And now having left the important alteriirttive, 
political happiness or wretchedness, under God, 
in a great degree in your own hands, I pray the 
Supreme Arbiter of the affairs of men, so to direct 
your judgment, as that you may act agreeable to 
what seems to be his will, revealed in his miracu- 
lous works in behalf of America, bleeding at the 
altar of liberty.'* 

ilis letters publis]ied expressly to controvert the 
machinations of the Britisli commissioners, hold- 
ing out the fallacious hope of conciliation, have 
been considered as replete vrith irresistible argu- 
n^ents, and written in the best style of composition. 
His strictures also on the conduct of general C Lee, 
disobeying orders at the battle of Monmouth, have 
been iiighly approved of. His speech in tiie gene- 
ral assembly of South Carolina, on tlie articles of 
the confederation, was published in 1778. Several 
M 



134 FRANKLIN. 

other productions of Iiis pen appeared, explaining 
the injured rights of his country, and encouraging 
his fellow-citizens to vindicate them. He also 
wrote a history of the American revolutioru 
brought down to the year 1779, in three largo 
volumes, Avhich he intended to correct and pub- 
lish, hut was prevented by liis death. 

He died in Philadelphia, in 1779, while attend- 
ing liis duty in congress, in the 37th year of his 
age. "- 

FRANKLIN, Benjamin, a p]iih)sopher and 
statesman, was a native of Boston, Massacluisetts, 
and was born on the 17th of January, 1706. The 
paternal branch of his ancestors inliabited the 
county of Northampton, in England. They were 
proprietors of a small freehold estate near the vil- 
lage of Eaton, where the family had been esta- 
blished, according to the traditions of that place, 
for more tlian three centuries. They pursued ge- 
nerally some trade, especially that of blacksmith, 
and were xcry honourably distinguished in their 
neiglibourhood, for industry, lionesty, and mecl)a- 
Jiical ingenuity. His father, ^^ilo Avas of the per- 
suasion of the Puritans, emigrated in 1682, to the 
colony of Massachusetts, the common refuge of 
those of his sect, who fled from the persecu- 
tions of tlieir native country ; but unaccustom- 
ed to agriculture or commerce, the usual oc- 
cupations of tlie colonists, and no trade, in the 
simple manner of those days conferring dishonour 
on its professors, he had recourse for a livelihood, 
without any previous apprenticeship, to that of 
cha^idler and soap-boiler, which, during tlie re- 
mainder of his life, he pursued witli little success, 
and lived in an innocent and unambitious poverty. 
His father was the youngest of four sons, all me- 
chanics, except the eldest, Thomas, who, althougli 
bred a smith, qualified himself for the bar, and 
Hr.as conspicuous in his county as * t]ic chief mover 



FRANKLIN. 135 

of all pnblic-spiritetl enterprises.' The character 
of this uncle, as our philosopher pourtrays it iu 
the first pages of his memoirs, and in one of his 
letters to his wife, has strong points of resemblance 
to his own; we may, indeed, distinguish certain 
leading dispositions, and properties of intellect by 
whicli he was marked, more or less vigorous, in 
ail the members of his family of whom he has given 
any account. lie constantly attended public wor- 
ship, and brought up his children in the ways of 
piety. His mother was a native of Boston, and 
was descended from one of the principal settlers of 
New England. We shall here give a sketch of 
the memoirs of his life and writings, written by 
himself. He says, "To be acquainted with the 
particulars of my parentage and life, will afford 
some pleasure. It will be an agreeable employ- 
ment of a week's uninterrupted leisure, which I 
])romise myself during my present retirement 
in the country. There are also other motives 
which induce me to the undertaking. From the 
bosom of poverty and obscurity, in which I drew 
my first breath, and spent my earliest years, I 
have raised myself to a state of opulence, and to 
some degree of celebrity in the world. A con- 
stant good fortune has attended me through every 
period of my Vife, to my present advanced age; 
and my descendants may be desirous of learning 
what where the means of which I made use, and 
which, thanks to the assisting hand of Providence, 
have proved so eminently successful. 

And here let me with all humility acknowledge, 
that to Divine Providence I am indebted for th6 
felicity I have hitherto enjoyed. It is that power 
alone which has furnished me with the means I 
liave employed, and that has crowned them with 
success. My faith in this respect leads me to- 
liope, though I cannot count upon it, that tlie di- 
vine goodness will still be exercised towards me. 



^56 FRANKLIN. 

cither by prolonging the duration of my Ijappiiiess 
to tlie close of life, or by giving me fortitude 
to support any melancholy reverse, which may 
happen to me as to so many othei's. My future 
foHune is unknown but to Him in whose hand is 
our destiny, and who can make our very afSictions 
subservient to our benefit. 

I was sent, at the age of eight years, to a gram- 
mar school. My father destined me for the church, 
and already regarded me as tlie chaplain of the 
family. The promptitude with which, from my 
infancy, I had learned to read, for I do not re- 
member to have been ever without this acquire- 
ment, and the encouragement of his friends, who 
assured him that I should one day cei*tainly be- 
come a man of letters, confirmed him in this de- 
sign. My uncle Benjamin approved also of the 
scheme, and promised to give me all his volumes 
of sermons, written, as I have said, in the short- 
iiand of his invention, if I w ould take the pains to 
learn it. 

I remained, however, scarcely a year at gram- 
mar school, although, in this short interval, I had 
risen from the middle to the head of my class, 
li'om (hence to tlie class immediately above, and 
was to pass, at the end of the } ear, to the one next 
in order. But my father, burthen^d with a nume- 
rous famil\, found that he was incapable, without 
subjecting himself to diihculties, of providing for 
the expense of a collegiate education; and consid- 
ering, besides, as I heard him say to his friends^ 
that persons so educated were often poorly provi- 
ded for, he renounced his first intentions, took me 
from the grammar school, and sent me to a school 
for writing and arithmetic, kept by a Mr. Gx^orgc 
Brov, nweil, who was a skilful master, and suc- 
ceeded very well in his profession by employing 
gentle means only, and such as were calculated to 
encourage his scholars. Under him I soon acquir- 



FRANKLIN, 137 

ed an excellent hand, but I failed in arithmetic, 
and made therein no great progress. 

At ten years of age I was called home, to assist 
my father in his occupation, which was that of a 
soap-boiler and tallow chandler, a business to 
w hich he had served no apprenticeship, but whicli 
he embraced on his arrival in New England, be- 
cause he found his own, that of a dyer, in too little 
request to enable him to maintain his family. I 
was, accordingly, employed in cutting the wicks, 
iiliing tlic moulds, taking care of the shop, carry- 
ing messages, he. 

This business displeased me, and I felt a strong 
inclination for a sea life : but my father set his 
face against it. The vicinity of the water, howe- 
ver, gave me frequent opportunities of venturing 
myself both upon and witbin it, and I soon acquir- 
ed the art of swimming, and of managing a boat. 
When embarked with otlier children, the helm was 
commonly deputed to me, particularly on difficult 
occasions ; and, in every other project, I was al- 
ways tlie leader of the troop, whom I sometimes in- 
volved in embarrassments. I shall give an in- 
stiince of this, which demonstrates an early dispo- 
sition of mind for public enterprises, though the one 
in question was not conducted by justice. 

Tlie mill-pond was terminated on one side by a 
marsh, upon the borders of which we were accus- 
tomed to take our stand, at high water, to angle 
for small fish. By dint of walking, we had con- 
verted the place into a perfect quagmire. My pro- 
posal Avas to erect a wharf that should afford us a 
iirm footing, and I pointed to my companions a 
large heap of stones, intended for building a new 
house near the marsh, and which were well adapt- 
ed for our purpose. Accordingly, when the work- 
men retired in the evening, I assembled a number 
of my play-fellows, and by labouring diligently, 
like ants, sometimes four of us uniting our strength 
M 2 



AS& FRANKLIN. 

to carry a single stone, we removed tliem all, and 
cojistructed our little quay. The workmen were 
surprised tlie next morning at not finding their 
stones, which hjid been conveyed to our wharf. 
Enquiries were made respecting the authors of this 
com eyance; we were discovered, complaints were 
exhibited against us, many of us underwent correc- 
tion on the pai't of our parents, and though I stre- 
iuiously defended the utility of the work, my father 
at length convinced me, that nothing which was 
not strictly honest, could be useful. 

I continued employed in my father's trade for 
t]ie space of two years; that is to say, till I arrived 
at twelve years of age. About tliis time my 
brother John, who had served his apprenticeship 
in London, having quitted my fatlier, and being 
married and settled in business on his own ac- 
count, at Rhode Island. I was destined, to all ap- 
pearance, to supply his place, and be a candle-ma- 
ker all my life: but my dislike of this occupation 
continuing, my father was appreliensive, that, if 
a more agreeable one were not offered me, I miglit 
play the truant and escape to sea; as, to his great 
mortification, my brother Josias had done. He 
therefore took me sometimes to see masons, coop- 
ers, braziers, joiners and other mechanics, employ- 
ed at their work, in order to discover xhe !)ent of 
my inclination, and fix it, if he could, upon some 
occupation that might retain me on shore, i have 
since, in consequence of these visits, derived no 
f^mall pleasure, from seeing skilfjil workmen han- 
dle their tools; and it has proved of considerable 
benefit, to have acquired thereby sufficient know- 
ledge to be able to make little things for myself, 
when I have had no mechanic at hand, and to con- 
struct small machines for my experiments, while 
the idea I have conceived has been fresh and 
strongly impressed on my imagination. 

My fatlier at length decided that I should be a 



FRANKLIN. 139 

cutler, and I was placed, for some days, upon trial 
with my coiisiu Samuel, son of my uncle Benja- 
min, who had learned this trade in London, and 
had established himself at Boston. But the pre- 
mium he required for my apprenticeship displea- 
sing my fatlier, I was recalled home. 

From my earliest years I had been passionately 
fond of reading: and laid out in books all the 
money I could procure. I was particularly pleased 
with accounts of voyages. My first acquisition 
was Bunyan's collection in small separate volumes. 

Tiiesc I afterwards sold in order to buy an his- 
torical collection which consisted of small cheap 
volumes, amounting in all to about forty or fifty. 
My father's little library was princi])ally made up 
of books of practical and polemical tiieology. I 
read the greatest part of them. I have since often 
regretted, that at tliat time when I had so great 
a thirst for knowledge, more eligible books had not 
fallen into my hands, as it was then a point deci- 
ded, that I should not be educated for the chuiTh. 
There was among my fatlier'^ books Plutarch's 
Lives, in which I read continually, and I still re- 
gard as advantageously employed the time I devo- 
ted to them. I found, besides, a work of De Foe's, 
entitled, an Essay on Projects, from which, per- 
hai)s, i derived impressions that have since influ- 
enced some of the principal events of my life. 

My inclination for books at last determined my 
father to make me a printer, tliough he had already 
a son in that profession. My brotfier had return- 
ed from England in 1717, with a press and types, 
in order to establish a printing-house at Boston. 
This business pleased me much better than that of 
my father, though I had still a predeliction for the 
sea. To prevent the effects which might result 
from this inclination, my father was impatient in 
see me engaged with my hrother. I held back for 
some time; at length, however, I suffered myself 



140 FRANKLIN. 

to be persuaded, and signed my indenlures, being 
then only twelve years of age. It Avas agreed 
that I sliojild serve as apprentice to the age of 
twenty-one, and should receive journeyman's wa- 
ges only during the last year. 

In a very short time I made great proficiency in 
this business, and became very serviceable to my 
brother. I had now an opjjortunity of procuring 
better hooks. The acquaintance I necessarily 
formed with booksellers' apprentices, enabled me 
to hoi'row a volume now and then, ^\ hich I never 
failed to return punctually and without injury. 
How often has it happi'nedto mc to pass the great- 
er part of the night in reading by my bed-side, 
when the book had been lent mc in tiie evening, 
and was to be returned the next morning; lest it 
might be missed or wanted! 

At length, Matthew Adams, an ingenious trades- 
man^ who liad a handsome collection of books, and 
who frecjuented our printing-bouse, took notice of 
me. He invited me to see his librai y, and had tlic 
goodness to lend me any books I was desirous ol 
reading. I then took a strange fancy for poetry, 
and composed several little pieces. My brother, 
thinking he might find his account in it, encoura- 
ged me, and engaged me to write two ballads. 
One. called tlie Liglithouse Tragedy, containing 
the shipv.i'eck of captain Worthilake and his two 
daugliters' the other, was a sailor's song on the 
capture of the noted pirate called Black-Beard, 
They were wretched verses in point of style, mere 
blind-man's ditties. When printed, he despatch- 
ed me about the town to sell them. The first had 
a prodigious run, because the event was recent and 
bad made a great noise. 

My vanity w as flattered by tliis success ;. but 
my father checked my exultation, by ridiculing my 
productions, and telling me that versifiers were al- 
Hvays poor. I tbus escaped the misfortune of beings 



FRANKLIIN^ 141 

probably, a very wretched poet. But as the facul- 
ty of writing prose !ias been oi great service to me 
iu the course of my life, and principally contribu- 
ted to my advancement, I shall relate by what 
means, situated as I was, I acquired the small skill 
I may possess in that way. 

There was in the town another young man, a 
great lover of books, of the name of John Collins, 
witli whom I was intimately connected. We fre- 
((uently engaged in dispute, and were indeed so 
fond of argumentation, tliat nothing was so agree- 
able to us as a vvar of woixls. This contentious 
temper, I would observe, by the bye, is in danger 
of becoming a very bad habit, and frequently ren- 
ders a man's company insupportable, as being no 
otherwise capable of indulgence than by indiscrimi- 
nate contradiction. Independently of the acrimo- 
ny and discord it introduces into conversation, it 
is often productive of dislikC; and even hatred, be- 
tween persons to whom friendship is indispensa- 
hly necessary. I acquii*ed it by reading, while I 
lived with my father, in books of religious contro- 
versy. I have since remarked, that men of sense 
and good education, seldom fall into this error. 

Collins and I, one day, in an argument relative 
to the education of women, namely, whether it 
were proper to instruct them in the sciences, and 
whether they were competent to the study? Col- 
lins, supported tlie negative, and affirmed that the 
task was beyond their capacity, I maintained the 
opposite opinion, a little perhaps for the pleasure 
of disputing. He was, naturally, more eloquent 
than I; words flowed copiously from his lips; and 
frequently I thought myself vanquished, more by 
his volubility than by the force of his arguments^ 
We separated without coming to an agreement upon 
this point ; and as we were not to see each otiier 
again for some time, I committed my thoughts to 
paper, made a fair copy, and sent it to him. He art- 



'14^2 TRANKLllS. 

swercil, and I replied. Three or four letters hiid* 
been v/ritten by each, wlien my father clianced to 
light upon my pajiers and read them. AVithout en- 
tering into the merits of the cause, he embraced 
the opjjortunity of s}>eaking to me upon my manner 
of writing. He observed, tliat though I had tlic ad- 
A'antagc of my adversary in corirct spelling and 
pointing, vvliicli I ov,ed to my occupation, 1 was 
greatly his inferior in elegance of expression, in 
arrangement, and perspicu ity. Of this he convinced 
me by several examples. I felt the justice of his re- 
marks, became more attentive to language, and re- 
solved to make every effort to improve my style. 
Amidst these resolves ari odd v olume of the Specta- 
tor fell into my hands. This was a publication 1 
had never seen. I bought the volume, and read it 
again and again. I was enchanted witli it, thought 
the style excellent, and wished it were in my power 
to imitate it. With this view I selected some of 
the papers, nmde short summaries of the sense of 
each period, and put them for a few days aside. I 
then, without looking at the book, endeavoured to 
restoi'e the essays to tlieir true form, and to ex- 
press each thought at length, as it w as in the ori- 
ginal, employing the most appro})riate words that 
occurred to my mind. I afterAvards compared my 
Spectator with tlie original; I perceived some 
faults, which I corrected; but I found that I wanted 
a fund of words, if I may so express myself, and 
a facility of recollecting and eniploying tfiem, 
which I thought 1 should by that time have acnui- 
red. had I continued to make verses. The con- 
tinual need of words of tlie same meaning, but of 
different lengths, for the measure, or of difterent 
sounds for the rhyme, woulil have obliged, me to 
seek for a variety of synonymes. and have render- 
ed me master of them. From this belief, 1 took 
some of the tales of the Spectator, and turned them 
into verse: and after a time, when 1 had sufficiently 
forgotten them, I again converted them into prose. 



FRANKLIN. 143 

Sometimes, also, I mingletl all my summaries 
together, and a few weeks after, endeavoared to 
jirraiige them in tlie best order*, before I attempted 
to form tlie pei'iods, and complete the essays. This 
I did with a view of acquiring method in the ar- 
rangement of my thoughts. On comparing, after- 
wards, my pei'formance with the original, many 
faults were apparent, which I corrected; but I had 
sometimes the satisfaction to think, that, in cer- 
tain particulars of little importance, 1 had been 
fortunate enougli to improve the order of thought, 
or the style; and this encouraged me in hope that 
I sJiould succeed, in time, in writing decently in 
the English language, which was one of the great 
objects of my ambition. 

The time whicJj I devoted to these exercises, and 
to reading, w'as the evening after my day's labour 
was finislied, the morning, before it began, and 
Sundays, when I could escape attending Divine 
service. While I lived w ith my father, he had in- 
sisted on my punctual attendance on public wor- 
ship, and I still consider it as a duty. 

When about 16 years of age, a vvork of Tryon 
iell into my liands, in which he recommends vege- 
table diet. I determined to observe it. My broth- 
er, being a bachelor, did not keep house, but board- 
* d with jjjs apprentices in a neighbouring family. 
.My refusing to eat animal food was found incon- 
A enient, and I w-as often scolded for my singularity. 
I attended to the mode in which Tryon prepared 
s;ome of his dishes, particularly how to boil pota- 
toes and rice, and r.iake hasty puddings. I then 
said to my brotlier, that if he would allow me per 
week half what he paid for my board, I w ould un- 
dertake to maintain myself. The offer was instant- 
ly embraced, and I soon found that of what he gave 
me. I wa,s able to saA^e half. Tiiis w as a new fund 
tor the purcliase of books, and other advantages 
resulted to mc from tiie plan. When my brother 



144 FRANKLIN. 

and bis workmen left the printing-house to go to 
dinner, I I'cniained behind, and (liH])atched my Irii- 
gal meal, wliich frequently consisted of a biscuit 
only, or a slice of bread and a bunch of raisins, or 
a bun fi'om the pastry cook's, with a glass of water; 
I had the i*est of the time, till their retui-n, for 
study, and my ])rogress therein was proportiojied 
to that clearness of ideas, and quickness of concep- 
tion, ^^])i( h ai'e the fruit of temperance in eating 
and drinkiiig. 

It was about tliis period that, liaving one day 
been put to the blush for my ignoi-ance in the art of 
calculation, wliich I had twice failed to learn while 
at school, I took up Cocker's Treatise of Arithme- 
tic, and went tbrougli it by myself with tlie great- 
est ease; I also read a book of na^ igation, by Sel- 
ler and Sturmy, and made myself master of the 
little geometry it contains; but I never proceeded 
far in this science. Nearly at the same time, 1 
read Locke on the Human understanding, and the 
Art of Thinkino% b v Messrs. du Port-RoyaL 

Tfhile labouring to form and improve my style. 
I met with an English Grammar, wliich 1 bclieyc 
was Greenwood's, having at tbe {^lid of it tv. o little 
essays on rhetoric and h)gic. lu the latter 1 found 
a model of disputation alter ihe manner of Socra- 
tes. Shortly after I procured Xenophon's work, 
entitled, Memorable Tilings of Socrates, in wliich 
are various examples of the same method. Charm- 
ed to a degree of enthusiasm with this niode of dis- 
puting, 1 adopted it, ami renouiuing bhint contra- 
diction, and direct and positive aigument, I assu- 
jned the character of an iiumble questioner. I 
found Socrates's method to be both the safest for 
myself, as well as the most embarrassing to those 
against whom I employed it. It soon afforded me 
singular pleasure: I incessantly practiced it, and 
i)ecamc very adroit in obtaining, even from |>er- 
sons of superior understanding* concessions of 



FRANKLIN. 145 

•wliicli ihcy did not foresee tlie consequences, — 
Tims I involved them in difiiculties from winch 
they were unable to extricate themselves, and 
sometimes obtained victories, which neitlier my 
cause nor my arguments merited. 

This method I continued to employ for some 
years; but I afterwards abandoned it by degrees. 
retaining only the habit of expressing myself with 
modest difiidence, and never making use, when I 
advanced any proposition which might he contro- 
verted, of the words certainly, undoubtedly, or any 
others that might give the appearance of being ob- 
stinately attacTied to my opinion. I rather said, 
I imagine, I suppose, or it appears to nie that such 
a thing is so or so, for such and such reasons; or, 
it is so, if I am not mistaken. This habit h.as, I 
think, been of considerable advantage to me, when 
I have had occasion to impress my opinion on the 
minds of others, and persuade them to the opinion 
of tlie measures I have suggested. 

In 1720, or 1721, my brother began to print a 
new public paper. It was the second that made 
its appearance in America, and was entitled *Thc 
New-England Courant.' The only one that ex- 
isted before was the ^ Boston News-Letter.' Some 
of his friends, I remember, would have dissuaded 
him from this undertaking, as a thing that was not 
likely to succeed; a single newspaper being, in 
their opinion, sufficient for all America. At pre- 
sent, however, in 1777, there are no less tlian 
twenty-ffve. But he carried his project into exe- 
cution, and I was employed in distributing the co- 
pies to his customers, after having assisted in coin- 
posing and working them off. 

Among his friends he iiad a number of literacy 
cliaracters, who, as an amuscuient, vrrote short es- 
says for tlie paper, wliich gave it reputation and 
increased its sale. Tliese gentlemen came frequent- 
Iv to our house. I heard tlie conver??atio« t'rat 



14G FRANKLIN. 

passed, ami the accounts they gave of the favoiii^a 
hie reception of their writings witli the pul)lic. I 
was templed to try my hand among them; hut, he- 
ing still a child as it were, 1 was fearful that my 
brother might he unwilling to print in his paper 
any performance of which he sliould know me to 
he the author, i thei'efoi'C contrived to disguise my 
fiand, and having written an anonymous piece, 1 
placed it, at night, under the door of the printing 
liouse, whci"e it was found the next morning. My 
hrotiier communicated it to his friends, when they 
came as usual to see him, who I'cad it, commented 
upon it in my hearing, and I had tlie exquisite 
pleasure to find that it met w itli approbation, and, 
that, in the various conjectures they made respect- 
ing the autlior, no one was mentioned who did not 
enjoy a high reputation in th(^ country, for talents 
and genius. I novv supposed myself fortunate in 
my judges, and began to susj)ect that they were 
not such excellent writers as I had hitherto sup- 
posed them. Be tliat as it may, encouraged by 
this little adventure, I wrote and sent to the pi'ess, 
in the same way, many other pieces, which were 
equally approved; keeping the secret till my slen- 
der stock of information and knowledge for such 
perfornumces was contpletely cxhaustcdj, when I 
made myself known. 

My bi'other, upon this discovery, began to en- 
tertain a little more respect for me; but he still re- 
garded himself as my master, and treated me like 
an appreiitice. He thought himself entitled to the 
same services from me as from any other person. 
On the contrary, I conceived that in many instan- 
ces, he w as too rigorous, and that, on the part of a 
brother, I had a right to expect greater indulgence. 
Our disputes were frequently brought before my 
father, and either my brother was generally in the 
wrong, or I w as the better pleader of tlie two, for 
iiidgment was commonly given in my favour. But 



Fl€ANKLIISr. 

/..^, <.. other was passionate, and often had rccoiirst: 
to hlows: a circinnstance which I took in very iii 
part. This severe and tyrannical treatment con- 
trihuted, I believe, to imprint on mv mind tluit 
aversion to arbitrary pov/cr, which during m\ 
whole life I have ever preserved. My apiire'nticc^- 
ship became insupportable to me,, and'l continiially 
siglied for an opportunity of shortening it, v.hich 
at lengtli unexpectedly offered. 

An article inserted in our paper, upon some p6'- 
■iitical subject, which I have now forgotten, gave 
offence to the assembly. My brotl^.er \^as taken 
into custody; censured, and ordered into confine- 
ment for a month, because, as I presume, he would 
not discover the author. I was also taken up, and 
examined before the council; but, though I gave 
them no satisfaction, tliey contented themselves 
with reprimanding, and then dismissed me; con- 
sidering mc, probably, as bound, in quality of ap- 
prentice, to keep my master's secrets. 

Tlie imprisonment of my brother kindled my re- 
sentment, notwitlistanding our private quarrels. 
During its continuance, the management of the pa- 
per was entrusted to me, and I was bold cnougiito 
insert some pasrpiinades against the governors, 
w hich highly pleased my brotlier, while others be- 
gan to look upon me in an unfiivourable point of 
view, considering me as a young wit, inclined to 
satire and lampoon. 

My brother's enlargement was accompanied with 
an arbitrary order from the liouse of assembly 
^'That James Franklin should no longer print th- 
newspaper entitled, the New England Courant.'- 
In this conjuncture, we held a consultation of our 
iriends at the printing-house, in order to deter- 
mine what was proper to be done. Some proposed 
to evade the order, by changing the title of the pa- 
per: but my brotber foreseeing inconveniences that 
would result from this step, thought it better that 



MS FRANKLIN. 

it should ill future be printed in the name of Ben- 
jamin Franivlin; and to aA oid the censure of the 
assembly, who might charge him with still print- 
ing the paper himself, under the name of his ap- 
pi'cntice, it was resolved that my old indentures 
.should be given up to me, with a full and entire 
discharge written on the back, in order to be pro- 
duced u])on an emergency; but that, to secui*e to 
my brother tlie benefit of my service, I sliould 
sign a new contract, whicli sliould be kept secret 
during the remainder of the term. This was a 
vevy shallow arrangement. It was, however, car- 
ried into immediate execution, and the paper con- 
tinued, inconsequence, to make its appearance for 
.some months in my name. At length a new dif- 
ference arising between my brother and me, I ven- 
tured to take advantage of my liberty, presuming 
iliat he would not dare to produce the new contract, 
it was undoubtedly dislionourahle to avail myself 
of this circumstance, a-nd I reckon this action as 
one of tlic first errors of my life; but I was little 
capable of estimating it at its true value, embitter- 
ed as my mind had been, by the recollection of the 
blows I had received. Exclusively of his passion- 
ate treatment of me, my brother was by no means 
a man of an ill temper, and perliaps my manners 
liad too much of impertinence not to afford it a very 
natural jiretext. 

When he knew that it was my determination to 
quit liioi, he wished to prevent my finding employ- 
ment elsewhere. He went to all the printing- 
houses in the town, and prejudiced the masters 
against me, \\ho accordingly refused to employ 
me. The idea tlien suggested itself to me of going 
to New York, the nearest town in which there \\as 
a printing oilice. Farther reflections conhi-med 
me in the design of leaving Boston, where 1 had 
already rendered myself an oliject of susjiicion io 
the governing party. It was probable, from tljc 



FRANKLIN. 149 

arbitrary proceedings of the assembly in tbc aftair 
of my brotbcr, that, by remaining, I sliould soon 
have been ex])Ose(l to difficulties, which I had the 
greater reason to apprehend, as, from my indiscreet 
disputes upon the subject of religion, I begun to be 
regarded by pious souls with horror, eitljcr as an 
apostate or an atheist. I came, therefore, to a re- 
solution; but my father; in this instance, siding 
witli my brother, I presumed that if I attempted to 
dej)art openly, measures would be taken to prevent 
nie. My friend Collins undertook to favour my 
flight. He agreed for my passage with the captain, 
of a New York sloop, to \\ horn lie represented me 
as a young man of his acquaintance, who had an 
affair n\ ith a girl of bad cliaracter, whose parents 
wished to compel mc to mai'ry her, and that, of 
consecpience, I could neither make my appearance 
nor go oft* publicly. I sold part of my books to 
procure a small sum of money, and went privately 
on board the sloop. By favour of a good wind, J 
found myself, in three days, at New- York, nearly 
300 miles from my home, Vct the age only of seven- 
teen years, without blowing an individual in tlie 
place, and with very little momy m my pocket. 

The incli;nation I had felt for a seafai'ing life 
was entivi'ly subsided, or I sliould nov^ have been 
able tfy^gi-atify it; but having another trade, and 
belin^'ing myself to be a tolerable workman, I lies- 
^t'Ucd not to offer my services to the old Mr. Wil- 
''am Bradford, who had been the first printer in 
^;:*ennsylvania, but had quitted that province on ac- 
^:.ount of a quarrel with George Keith, the Govern- 
or. He could not give me employment himself, 
having little to do, and already as many hands as 
he wanted ; but he told me, that his son, a printer 
at Philadelphia, !iad lately lost his principal work- 
man, Aquila Rose, who was dead, and tliat, if I 
would go thitiier, he believed that he wouh! engage 
me. Philadelphia was 100 miles farther. I hesi'- 
N 2 



150 FRANKLIN. 

fated not to embark in a boat in order to repair, by 

the shortest cut of the sea, to Amhoy, leaving my 
trunk and effects to come after me by the usual and 
more tedious conveyance. In crossing the bay ^ve 
met with a squall, which shattered to pieces our 
rotten sails, prevented us from entering the Kill, 
ami threw us upon Long-Island. 

During the squall a drunken Dutchman, who 
like myself was a passenger in the boat, fell into 
the sea. At the moment that he was sinking I 
seized him by the fore-top, saved him, and drew 
him on hoard. This immersion sobered him a 
little, so that he fell asleep, after having taken 
from his pocket a volume, which he reqr.csted me 
io dry. Tliis volume I found to be my old favour- 
ite woi'k^ Bunyau's Yo} ages, in Dutcli, a beauti- 
ful impression on fiiie paper, witli copper-plate en- 
gravings; a dress in which I had never seeri it in 
its original language. I have since learned that 
it had been translated irito almost all the lai^gua- 
gcs of Europe, and, next to the bible, I am persua- 
ded it is one of the books which has had tlie great- 
est spread. Honest John if; the first that I know 
of, who has mixed narrative aiNl dialogue togetli- 
(ir; a mode of writing very engaging to the reader, 
who, in the most interesting passages, fmds him- 
self adinitted as it were into the company, ilB^ W^' 
sent at the conversation. De Foe has imitai^^l it 
with success in his Robinson Crusoe, his Mi?^^ 
Inlanders, and other works; as also has llichart!- 
^on in his Pamela, &c. 

In approaching the island, wc found that we had^ 
made a part of the coast where it was not possible 
u> land, on account of the strong breakers produ- 
ced by the rocky shore. We cast anchor and 
veered the cable toward the shore. Some men, 
who stood upon the brink, hallooed to us, while 
we did the same on our part: but the wind was so 
iirgh, and Ihc waves so noisy, that wc could neithci; 



FRANKLIN. 151 

of us hear each otlier. There were some canoes 
upon the hank, and we called out to them, and 
made signs to prevail on them to come and take 
us up; hut either they did not understand us, or 
they deemed our request im.practicahle, and with- 
drew. Night came on, and nothing remained for 
us but to wait the subsiding of the wind: till when 
we determined, tliat is, the pilot and I, to sleep if 
possible. For that purpose we went below the 
hatches along with the Dutchman, who was 
drenched with water. The sea broke over the 
boat, and reached us in our retreat, so that we 
were presently as completely drenclied as he. 

We had very little repose during the whole 
night; but the wind abating the next day, we suc- 
ceeded in reaching Amboy before it was dark, af- 
ter having passed thirty hours without provisions, 
and V, itli no other drink than a bottle of bad rum,. 
tlie water upon which we rowed being salt. In the 
evening I went to bed with a violent fever. I had 
somewhere read that cold w ater, drank plentifully, 
w as a remedy in such cases. I followed the pre- 
scription, was in a profuse sweat for the greater 
part of the night, and the fever left me. The next 
day I crossed the river in a ferry-boat, and contin- 
ued my journey on fool. I had fifty miles to w alk, 
in order to reach Burlington, where 1 was told I 
should find passage-boats that w ould convey me to 
Piiiladelphia. It rained Iiard the whole day, so 
that I was wet to the skin. Finding myself fa- 
tigued about noon, I stopped at a paltry inn, w here 
I passed the rest of the day and the whole niglit, 
beginning to regret that I quitted my home. I 
made besides so w retched a figure, that I was sus- 
pected to be some runaway servant. Tliis I dis- 
covered by the questions tliat were asked me; and 
I felt that I was every moment in danger of being 
taken up as such. The next day. however, I con- 
tinued my journey, and arrived in tlie evening 



152 FRANKLIN. 

at an inn, eight or ten miles from Burlington, tlj?it 
was kept by one Dr. Brown. 

This man entered into conversation witli mc 
while I took some refreshment, and, perceiving 
tliat I liad read a little, he ex])reKsed towards me 
considerable interest and friendshij). Our arcjaint- 
ance contiimed during the remair.der of Ins life. 
I believe him to have been what is called an itine- 
rant doctor: for there ^^ as no town in England, or 
indeed in Europe, of which he could not give a par- 
ticular account. 

1 spent the night at liis house, and readied Bur- 
lington the next morning. On my arrival, I had 
the mortification to learn that the ordinary pas- 
sage-boats had sailed a little before. This was on 
a Saturday, and there would be no otlier boat till 
the Tuesday following. I returned to the house of 
an old woman in the town, who had sold me some 
gingerbread to eat on raiy passage, and I asked her 
advice. She invited mc to take up my abode with 
her til! an opportunity offei'ed for me to embark. 
Fatigued with having tra^ elled so far on foot. I 
accepted her invitation. When she understood that 
1 Vt as a printer, she would have persuaded me to 
stay at Burlington, and set up my trade: but she 
was little aware of the capital that would be neces- 
sary for such a purcliase! I was treated while at 
her house with true hospitality. She gave me, 
with the utmost good will, a dinner of beef-steaks 
and would accept of nothing in return but a pint 
of ale. 

Here I imagined myself to be fixed till the Tues- 
day in the ensuing week: but walking out in the 
evening by the river side, 1 saw a boat v, ith a num- 
ber of persons in it apjiroach. It was going to 
Philadelphia, and the company took me in. As 
there was no wind, we could only make way with 
our oars. About midnight, not perceiving the 
town, some of tiic company were of opinion that 



FRANKLIN. 153 

we must have passed it, and were unwilling to row 
any fartlier; the rest not knowing where we w^ere^ 
it was resolved that we should stop. We drew to- 
wards the shore, entered a creek, and landed near 
some old palisades, which served us for lire- wood, 
it being a cold night in October. Here we staid 
till day, when one of the company found the place, 
in which we were, to be Cooper's Creek, a little 
above Philadelphia; which in reality we perceived 
tlie moment we were out of the creek. We arrived 
on Sunday, about eight or nine o'clock in the morn- 
ing, and landed on Market-street wharf. 

I have entered into the particulars of ray voy- 
age, and shall in like manner describe my first en- 
ti'ance into this city, that you may be able to com- 
pare beginnings so little auspicious, with the figure 
1 have since made. 

On my arrival at Philadelphia I was in my 
working dress, my best clothes being to come by 
sea. I was covered with dirt; my pockets were 
filled with shirts and stockings; I was unacquaint- 
ed with a single soul in the place, and knew not 
Avhere to seek for a lodging. Fatigued with walk- 
ing, rowing, and having passed the niglit without 
sleep, I was extremely hungry, and all my money 
consisted of a Dutch dollar, and about a siiiliing's 
worth of coppers, which I ga\ e to the boatmen for 
my passage. x\s I had assisted them in rowing, 
they refused it at first; but I insisted on their ta- 
king it. A man is sometimes more generous when 
he has little, than wlicn he has much money; pro- 
bably because, in the first case, he is desirous of 
concealing his poverty. 

I walked towards the top of the street, looking 
eagerly on both sides, till 1 came to Market-street, 
wliere I met a child with a loaf of bread. Often 
had I made my dinner on dry bread. I enquired 
wlsere he had bought it, and went straight to the 
baker's shop which he had pointed out to me. I 



154 FRAjSKLIN. 

asked for soiiic biscuits, expecting to find sue ii as 
we had at Boston ; but they made, it seems, none 
of that sort in Philadelphia. I tlicn asked for a 
three-penny loaf. ^I'hey made no loaves of that 
price. Finding myself ignorant of the prices "as 
well as of the different kinds of bread, I desired 
liim to let me ha\ c three penny worth of bread of 
some kind or other. He gave me three large rolls. 
I was surprised at receiving so much; I took them, 
howeves*, and having no room in my pockets, I 
walked on witli a roll under each arm, eating the 
third. In this manner I wer.t through Market 
street to fourth street, and passed the liouse of Mr. 
Head, the fatlier of my future Vvife. She was stand- 
ing at the door, observed mc, and thought with 
reason, tliat I made a very singular and grotesque 
appearance. 

I then turned the corner, and went through Ches- 
nut street, eating my roll all the way ; and having 
made this round, I found myself again on Market 
street wharf, near the boat in vv hicli ! had arrived. 
I stepped into it to take a draught of river vratcr, 
and finding myself satisfied with my first roll, I 
gave the other tAvo to a woman and her child, who 
had come down the river with us in the boat, and 
w as waiting to continue her journey. Thus refresh- 
ed, I regained the street, which v» as now full of well 
dressed people, all going the same way. I joined 
them, and was thus led to a large Quaker's meet- 
ing house, near the maiket place. I sat down 
with the rest, and after looking round me for some 
time, hearing nothing said, and being drowsy from 
my last night's labour and want of rest, I fell into 
a sound sleep. In this state I continued till the as- 
sembly divspersed, when one of the congregation 
had the goodness to wake me. This was, conse- 
quently, the first house I entei^d, or in which ) 
slept at riiiladelphia. 

I began again to walk along the streets by tlic 



FRANKLIN". 155 

ivcr Side, and looking attentively in the face of 
ovcry one I met, I at Icngtli perceived a young; 
Quaker, whose countenance pleased me. I accost- 
ed him, and begged him to inform me Avhere a 
stranger miglit find a lodging. We were then near 
the sign of tlie * Three Mariners'. They receive 
travellers here, said he, hut it is not a house that 
beai's a good character ; if you will go with me I 
will shew you a better one. He conducted me to 
the Crooked Billet, in Water street. There I or- 
dered something for dinner, and during my meal, 
a number of curious questions were put to me; my 
youth and appearance exciting the suspicion of my 
being a runaway. After dinner my drowsiness re- 
turned, and I threw myself npon a bed without tak- 
ing off my clothes, and t slept till six in the even- 
ing, when I was called to supper. I afterwards 
w cut to bed at a very early hour, and did not wake 
till the next morning. 

As soon as I got up, I put myself in as decent a 
a trim as I could, and went to the house of Andrew- 
Bradford, the printer. I Ibund his father in the 
shop, whom I had seen at New York. Having 
tra^ ellcd on horseback, he had arrived at Phila- 
delphia before me. He introduced me to his son, 

\ ho received me with civility, and gave me some 
breakfast; but he told me he Ijadno occasion for a 
journeyman, having lately procured one. He ad- 
ded, that there was another printer newly settled 
in the town, of the name of Keimer, who migiit 
perhaps employ me; and in case of a refusal, I 

•tould be welcome to lodge at his house, and he 

ould give me a little work now and tlieu, till 
-omething better sliould offer. 

The old man offered to introduce me to tlie new 
printer. When we were at his house, *• neighbour, 
said he, I bring you a young man in tlic printing 
business, perhaps you may have need of his servi- 
">"^.'* Keimer asked me some questions, put p- 



156 FRANKLIN. 

composing stick in my Jiand to see how 1 could 
work, and then said, that at present he had noth- 
ing for me to do, hut that he shouhl soOn he ahle to 
employ me. At the same time taking old Brad- 
ford for aninhahitantof the town well disposed to- 
wards him, he communicated his project to him^ 
and the prospect he had of success. Bradford was 
careful not to discover that lie was the father of 
the otlier printer ; and from what Keimer had said, 
that he hoped shortly to be in possession of the 
greater part of the business of the town, led him by 
artful questions, and by starting some difficulties, 
to disclose all his views, what his hopes were found- 
ed upon, and how^ he intended to proceed. I was 
present and heard it all. I instantly saw that one 
of the two was a cunning old fox, and the other a 
pei'fect novice. Bradford left me with Keimer, who 
was strangely surprised when I informed him who 
the old man was. 

I found Keimer's printing materials to consist of 
an old damaged press, and a small font of worn- 
out English letters, with which lie was himself at 
work upon an elegy on Aquila Rose, wiiom I have 
mentioned above, an ingenious young man, and of 
an excellent character, highly esteemed in the town, 
secretary to the assembly, and a very tolerable 
poet. Keimer also made verses, but they were in- 
different ones. He could not he said to v/rite in 
verse, for his method was, to take and set tlie lines 
as they flowed from his muse ; and, as he workwl 
without copy, had but one set of letter cases, and 
the elegy would probably occupy all his type, it 
was impossible for any one to assist him. 1 en- 
deavoured to put his press in order, whicli he had 
not yet used, and of which indeed he understood 
nothing; and having promised to come and work 
off his elegy as soon as it should be i*eady, I re- 
turned to the house of Bradford, who gave mo 
some trifle to do for tlie present, for ^^hich I had 
my board and lodging. 



FRANKLIN. 



io7 



lii a few days Keimer sent for me to print off 
liis elegy. He had now procured another set of 
letter-cases, and had a pamphlet to re-print, upon 
which he set me to work. 

The two Philadelphia printers appeared desti- 
aite of every qualification necessary in their pro- 
fession. Bradford had }iot been hrought up to it, 
and was very illiterate. Keimer, though he un- 
derstood a little of the business, was merely a com- 
positor, and wholly incapable of working a press. 
He had read one of tlic French prophets, and knew 
how to imitate their supernatural agitations. At 
the time of our first acquaintance he professed im 
particular religion, hut a little of all upon occa- 
sion. He was totally ignorant of the world, and a 
^'reat knave at heart, as I had afterwards an op^ 
portunity of experiencing. 

Keimer could not endure that, working with him, 
I should lodge at Bradford's. He had indeed a 
house, but it was unfurnished, so that he could not 
take me in. He procured me a lodging at Mr. 
Read's, his landlord, whom I have already men- 
tioned. ]My trunk and effects heing now arrived, 
I thought of making, in the eyes of I\Iiss Read, a 
aiore respectable appearance than when chance ex- 
piibited me to her view, eating my roil, and wan- 
dering in the streets. 

From tills period I hegan to contract acquaint 
ance vvith such young people of the town as were 
-"bnd of reading, and spent my evenings vdth them 
agreeably, wliile at the same time, I gained money 
oy my iiKiustry; and. thanks to my frugality, 
lived contented. I thus forgot Boston as much as 
possible, and wished every one to be ignorant of 
the place of my residence, except my friend Col- 
hns, to wi)om I wrote, and wlio kept'my secret. 

As the limits of our work will not permit us to 
SiYd an elaborate sketcli of any one i«dividual, we 
4ire compelled to stop the fnteresting memoir? 



ioB FRANKLliV. 

^vritten by Dr. Franklin himself, and continue his 
biography in a more condensed form. 

He rc-appearcd in his nati^ c town, after an ab- 
sence of seven months, witli a strong recommenda- 
lion from sir AVilliam Keith to his father; was af- 
fectionately w elcomed; and, tliough he failed in his 
unain object, secured the consent of his parents to 
his return to Philadelphia. At New York, on his 
way back, he had an adventure which bespeaks, as 
does tlic conduct of Sir William Keith, the simpli- 
city of the times, and the great superiority of 
Franklin, at so early an age, to his lowly condi- 
tion. Tlie governor of New York, a man of let- 
ters, hearing from the captain of tlie packet in 
which he sailed, that one of the passengers had a 
number of volumes on board, sent for our job- 
workman, the passenger in question, showed him 
his library, and conversed courteously and large- 
ly with him about books and authors. 
* He enlisted himself anew at Philadelphia, with 
his first master, formed acquaintance with a num- 
ber of young men of a speculative and literary 
turn, bestowed his leisure hours upon metaphysics 
and poetry, and kept his reasoning faculties in 
constant and invigorating exercise. His patron, 
sir William Keith, drew him by fine promises into 
a scheme of going to England, in order to purchase 
a set of types; with which he was to be established 
in business atliome. He credulously embarked, 
and discovered, on his arrival in London, that lie 
had been miserably duped, and must depend upon 
his own unaided exertions to find a subsistence in 
that vast capital. It is to be noted, in proof ot the 
soodness of his heart, that he bears testimony, m 
his memoirs, to the valuable qualities and public 
services of the man who practised upon him tins 
despicable and cruel imposition. . 

He was accompanied to England by one ot his 
literary associates, Ralph,, who, being destitute x>l 



FRANKLIN. 159 

uioiiey, preyed upon his meagre purse, and increas- 
ed the difficulties of his position. He found means^ 
however, to fix himself in a considerable printing- 
office, and became a model of industry and tempe- 
rance, and an example well worthy of being follow- 
ed by young men. He went to board with an old 
Catholic lady, at one shilling and six pciice per 
week, and remained with her until his departure 
from England. He procured books for his lucu- 
brations, at a small subscription, from a private 
collection of great extent, but was led astray by 
the sceptical writers that fell into his hands, and 
even wrote and printed himself a small treatise of 
infidel metaphysics. It drew upon him the notice 
of a deistical author, who introduced him to Man- 
deville, and some other spirits of the same order. 
His strong natural sense soon extricated him, how- 
ever, from the illusions of the moment; and he has, 
by the reprobation of them to which he so often and 
earnestly returns in his mcmsbirs, made ample 
amends. The other acts of his youth which he re- 
cords as transgressions, are greatly extenuated by 
concomitant circumstances: they are so confessed 
as convey a most salutary moral; and it is evident- 
ly with this view, as well as in obedience to histo- 
rical truth, that they are acknowledged. 

It was in his twenty-first year, after a residence 
of eighteen months in London, tliat he set sail from 
Gravescnd for Philadelphia, under the auspices of 
a friendly merchant who had engaged him, as clerk 
for a dry-goods shop, and given him the magnifi- 
cent expectation of being promoted to the rank of 
supercargo to the West-Indies. This plan had 
well nigh been superceded by one which took, im- 
mediately before his departure, a stronger hold ol' 
his fancy; to wit, the opening of a school for swim- 
ming, an art in which he was remarkably expert. 
During the voyage liomcwards, he kept a journal, 
Tvluch shows that his style was already in a great 



160 FRANKLIN. 

degree formed, and in which are to he discerned the 
intellectual hahits that gave so much eclat and use- 
fulness to hismaturer years. On this voyage, too. 
he resolved to form some plan for his future conduct. 
by wliich he might promote his fortune, and pro- 
cure respect and reputation in society. This plan 
is prefaced by tlie following reflections: ^'Those 
who WTite of the art of Poetry, teach us, that if we 
would write what would he worth the reading, we 
ought always, before we begin, to form a regular 
design of our piece; otherwise we shall be in dan- 
ger of incongruity, i am apt to think it is the 
same as to life. I have never fixed a regular de- 
sign in life; by Vv hich means it has been a confused 
variety of different scenes. I am now entering 
upon a new one: let me, therefore, make some re- 
solutions, and form some scheme of action, that 
henceforth, I may live in all respects like a ration- 
al creature.'' 

To these remarks he annexed a series of rules 
iind moral principles, which, at the same time, they 
show" his noble ardour for virtue, may afford those 
animated with t!ie same spirit, no unprofitable ex- 
ample. They are as foilov^' : 

^'I resolve to be extremely frugal for some time, 
until I pay what I owe. 

^^To speak the truth in every instance; to give 
nobody expectations that are not likely to be an- 
swered, but aim at sincerity in every word and 
action; the most amiable excellence in a rational 
being. 

"To apply myself industriously to whatever bu- 
siness I take in hand, and not divert my mind from 
my business by any foolish ju'oject of growing sud- 
denly rich; for industry and patience are the sur- 
est means of plenty. 

<*I resolve to speak ill of no man whatever, not 
even in matter of truth; but I'ather by some means 
excuse the faults 1 bear charged upon others, and 



FRANKLIN. 161 

upon proper occasions speak all the good I know 
of every body," &c. 

To tiiese resolutions, although they were formed 
in the ardour of a youthful imagination, he adher- 
ed, with a scrupulous fidelity: and the foundation, 
wc must admit, was not unworthy of the superstruc- 
ture lie afterwards reared u])on it. 

He arrived in Philadelphia on the 11th of Octo- 
ber, and embarked upon his new adopted profes 
sion. But in the course of a few months, just as he 
began to make some figure in the mystery of a ha- 
berdasher, his employer died, and he had to return 
to his proper trade. An offer of large wages in- 
duced him to undertake the management of the 
printing-office of his quondam master, to whom he 
rendered, by his skill and industry, the most im- 
portant service. They quarrelled ere long, and 
Franklin left him to form a similar establishment 
in connexion with a fellow Journeyman, whose fa- 
ther, a man of some wealth, was to supply the 
stock. New types were purchased for the firm in 
London, and business followed apace. Our phil- 
osopher had recommended himself, by the perfect 
regularity of his deportment, and the intelligence 
of his conversation, to the favour of a number of 
leading persons, and had founded a club or deba- 
ting society, composed of young men of some con- 
sideration, all of whom took a lively interest in 
his advancement. This club, the Junto, whiclt 
discussed formally and laboriously, points of mor- 
als, politics, and natural pliilosophy, administer- 
ed in an important degree to the improvement oi 
his understanding, as well as of his fortunes. 

The countenance of his fiiends, and still more 
liis indefatigable assiduity in his office, contribu- 
ted to remove obstacles of some magnitude. The 
establishment acquired consistency from day to 
day- In a short time a newspaper was added to 
it, and managed with equal ability. Franklin seiz- 
9. 



i6j: FRANKLIN. 

cd upon the topics most interesting to the public, 
and gave particular satisfaction by asserting the 
rights of the people, against tlie governor of 'Mas- 
sachusetts, on the occasion of a dispute in which 
they were iuA olved. The notice of the assembly 
of Pennsylvania was attracted to his paper, and 
hut a short time elapsed before the editors were 
appointed its official printers. This he mentions 
as *^onc of tlie first good effects of his having learn- 
ed to scribble." 

In the year 1729, his partner, who had become 
a mere burden, happily retired from the associa- 
tion, and the capital wliich he withdrew was re- 
placed, as a loan, by two of the many zealous 
i'riends whom Franklin had created. He greatly 
increased, at tliis time, his reputation and popu- 
larity, by publishing a pamphlet of Ids own, " On 
the Nature and Necessity of Paper Currency." 
He treated this subject in such a manner as to oc- 
casion an additional emission of paper, which pro- 
ved of signal utility to trade in geneial. The in- 
dustry which he displayed^ in every way, w as tru- 
ly admirable. He had opened a small stationer's 
shop, which he contrived to conduct in person, be- 
sides pei'forming the manual labour of the print- 
ing office, arranging and replenishing his Gazette, 
Avriting pamphlets, and taking part in the literary 
exercises of the Junto. The paper Avhich he pur- 
chased at the stores, he carried home through the 
streets in a wheelbarrow: though not twenty-four 
years of age, he abstained from all idle diversion, 
and if a book seduced him from his work, he read 
clandestinely, lest lie should give scandal. Credit? 
confidence, and custom, jvere the natural effects 
of this demeanour. He was enabled by degrees to 
pay off his debt, and to yenture upon marriage. — 
Before his voyage to England, he had exclianged 
vows with a Miss Read, a young lady of excellent 
character and respectable connexions* He neg- 



FHANKLIN. 163 

iccted lier somewhat, however, during liis absence; 
and this circumstance, added to the exhortations 
of her relatives, hurried lier into a match of a very 
inauspicious nature. She soon parted from a 
worthless husband, wlio fled from his creditors to 
the West Indies, and there died. Franklin find- 
ing her again free, renewed his addresses, as well 
to repair the wrong he accused himself of having 
committed by his neglect when in England, as to 
indulge the mutual affection vv hich had revived in 
the intercourse of society. They were united iii 
1730, and he depicts her in liis memoirs, as '*a 
good and faithful helpmate." 

About the date of his marriage, he projected a 
common library for the club, and soon afterwards 
procured the establishment of the Philadelphia Li- 
brary, 'Hlie fruitful mother of a hundred more,'' 
throughout these states. This institution afforded 
iiim the means of wider researcli. He set apart a 
small portion of each day for study, and gave the 
remainder entirely to business. His domestic 
economy lost nothing by tlie presence of his wife 
in point of order and frugality, cheerfulness, and 
unremitting diligence. His mind became more in- 
tent, as his circumstances grew easier, upon the 
permanent regulation of his appetites, and the gen- 
eral perfection of his moral temperament. Tlie 
edifying, sure train of reflection into which he 
tell on the subject, artd the strict, ingenious sys- 
tem of discipline, whicli he followed for the pur- 
pose, may be seen at large in his memoirs. It will 
likewise be seen there, that he kept steadily in 
viev/ the benefit to accrue to the public from his 
example and reasonings. He was brought early, 
by experience and meditation, to the conviction, 
that virtue, in the most enlarged sense, is the ne- 
penthe of life; and. from first to last, his 'lesire 
w as not more earnest to secure it for himself thari 
for the human race. 



164 FRANKLIN. 

In 1732, he began to publish poor Richard's al- 
manac, whicli was enriched witli maxims of fruga- 
lity, temperance, industry, and integrity. So great 
was its reputation, that he sold ten thousand annu- 
ally, and it was continued by him about twenty-fiv? 
years. The maxims were collected in the last al- 
manac, in the form of an address, called the way to 
wealth, which has appeared in various publica- 
tions. In 1736, he was appointed clerk of the gen- 
eral assembly of Pennsylvania, and in 1737, post- 
master of Philadelphia. The first fire company 
was formed by him in 1738. When the frontiers 
of Pennsylvania were endangered in 1744, and an 
ineffectual attempt was made to procure a militia 
law, he proposed a voluntary association for tlie 
defence of the province, and in a short time obtain- 
ed ten thousand names. In 1747, he was chosen a 
member of the assembly, and continued in tliis sta- 
tion ten years. In all important discussions hi*; 
presence was considered as indis])ensable. He sel- 
dom s])oke, and never exhibited any oratory; but 
by a single observation he sometimes determined 
the fate of a question. In the long controversies 
with the proprietaries or their governors, he took 
the most active part, and displayed a firm spirit 
of liberty. 

He was now engaged for a number of years in a 
course of electrical experiments, of which he pub- 
lisiied an account. His great discovery was the 
identity of the electric fluid and liglitning. This 
discovery he made in the summer of 1752. To 
the upriglit stick of a kite he attached an iron 
point; the string was of hemp, excepting the part 
which he held in his hand, which v as silk-, and a 
key was fastened where the hempen string termi- 
nated. AVith this apparatus, on the appioach of 
a thunder storm, he raised his kite. A cloud pas- 
sed over it, and no sign of electricity appearing, 
ue began to dispair; but observing the loose fibre? 



FRANKLIiSr. Idj 

of his string to move suddenly toward an erect po- 
sition, he presented his knuckle to the key, ami 
received a strong spark. The success of this ex- 
periment completely estahlished his theory. The 
practical use of this discovery in securing houses 
from lightning, by pointed conductors, is well 
known in America and Europe. In 1753, he was 
appointed deputy postmaster-general of the Bri- 
tish colonies, and in the same year the academy of 
Philadelphia, projected by liim, w as established. 
In 1754, he was one of the commissioners, who at- 
tended the Congress at Albany, to devise the best 
means of defending the country against the French. 
He drew up a plan of union for defence and gene- 
ral gov ernment, which was adopted by the con- 
gress. It w as, however, rejected by the board of 
trade in England, because it gave too much power 
to the representatives of the people; and it was re- 
jected by the assemblies of the colonies, because it 
gave too much power to the president general. Af- 
ter the defeat of Braddock he was appointed col- 
onel of a regiment, and he repaired to the frontiers 
and built a fort. 

Higher employments, however, at length called 
iiim from his country, which he was destined to 
serve more effectually, as its agent in England^ 
whither he was sent in 1757. The stamp act, by 
which the British minister vvishcd to familiarize 
the Americans to pay taxes to the mother country, 
revived that love of liberty, v> hich had led their 
forefathers to a country, at that time a desert; and 
the colonies formed a congress, the first idea of 
whicli had been communicated to them by Frank- 
lin, at the conferences at Albany, in 1754. The 
war that was just terminated, and the exertions 
made by them to support it, had given them a con- 
viction of their strength; they opposed this mea- 
sure, and tlie minister gave way, but he reserved 
tJie means of renewing the attempt. Once cau= 



16G FRANKLIN. 

tioiied, lio-wever, tlicy remained on their guard; 
liberty clicrished by their alarms, took deeper 
root; and the rapid circulation of ideas, by means 
of newspapers, for the introduction of which tliey 
were indebted to tlie printer at Philadelphia, uni- 
ted them together to resist every fresh enterprise. 
In tlie year 17GG, tliis printer, called to the bar of 
the house of commons, underwent that famous in- 
terrogatory, Mhicli placed the name of Franklin 
as high in politics, as it was in natural philosophy. 
From that time he defended the cause of America 
with a firmness and moderation becoming a great 
man, pointing out to the ministry all the errors 
they committed, and the consequences they would 
produce, till tiie period when the tax on tea meet- 
ing the same opposition as the stamp act had done, 
England blindly fancied herself capable of subject" 
ing, by force, 3,000,000 of men determined to be 
free, at a distance of 1000 leagues. In 1766, he 
visited Holland, and Germany, and received 
the greatest marks of attention from men of 
.science. In his passage through Holland, he learn- 
ed from the watermen, the effect which the diminu- 
tion of the quantity of water in canals has in im- 
peding the progress of boats. Upon his return to 
England, he was led to make a number of experi- 
ments, all of whicli tended to confirni the observa- 
tion. 

In the following year, he travelled into France^ 
where he met with no less favourable reception 
than he had experienced in Germany. He was in- 
troduced to a number of literary characters, and 
to the king, Louis XV. 

He returned to America, and arrived in Phila- 
delphia in the beginning of May, 1775, and was 
received w ith all those marks of esteem and afifec- 
tion, which his eminent services merited. The da> 
after his arrival he was elected by the legislature 
of Pennsylvania, a member of congress. 



FRANKLIN. 167 

It was ill this year that Di*. Franklin addressed 
that memorable and laconic epistle to his old friend 
and companion, Mr. Strahan, tlien king's prin- 
ter, and member of the British parliameiit, of 
which the following is a correct copy, and of 
which a fac-simile is given in the last, and most 
correct edition of his works: 

Philada. July 5, 1775. 
Mr. Strahan, 

You are a Member of Parliament, and one 
of that Majority which has doomed my Country to 
Destruction. — You have begun to burn our Towns, 
and murder our People.— Look upon your Haiids! 
' — They are stained with the Blood of your Rela- 
tions! — You and 1 were long Friends: — You are 
now my Enemy, — ^and 
I am, 

Yours, 

B. FRANKLIN. 

In October, 1775, Dr. Franklin was appointed 
by Congress, jointly with Mr. Harrison and Mr. 
Lynch, a committee to visit the American camp at 
Cambridge, and, in conjunction with the comman- 
der in chief, (general SVashington, ) to endeavour 
to convince the troops, whose term of enlistment 
was about to expire, of the necessity of their con- 
tinuing in the field, and persevering in the cause of 
their country. 

He was, afterwards, sent on a mission to Cana- 
da, to endeavour to unite that country to the com- 
mon cause of liberty. But the Canadians could 
not be prevailed upon to oppose the measures of 
ihe British government. 

It was directed that a printing apparatus, and 
iiands, competent to print in Frencli and English^ 
should accompany this mission. Two papers were 
written and circulated very exteiisivelv tbrousck 



168 FRANKLIN. 

Canada; but it was not nntil after the experi 
ment had been tried, that it was found not more 
than one person in five hundred co^ild read, — 
Dr. Franklin was accustomed to make the best of 
every occurrence, suggested tliat if it were intend- 
ed to send another mission, it should be a mission 
composed of schoolmasters. 

He was, in 1776, appointed a committee with 
Jolin Adams and Edward Rutledge, to inquire into 
the powers, with which lord Howe was invested in 
regard to the adjustment of our differences a\ ith 
Great Britain. When his lordship expressed liis 
concern at being obliged to distress tliose, whom 
he so much regarded, Dr. Franklin assured him 
that the Americans, out of reciprocal regard, 
would endeavour to lessen, as much as possible, 
the pain which he might feel on their account, by 
taking the utmost care of themselves. In the dis- 
cussion of the great question of independence, he 
was decidedly in favour of the measure. He was 
in the same year, chosen president of the conven- 
tion which met in Philadelphia, to form a new 
constitution for Pennsylvania. The single legisla- 
ture and the plural executive, seem to have beeji 
his favourite principlewS« In the latter end of the 
year 1776, he was sent to France to assist in nego- 
tiation with Mr. Arthur Lee and Silas Deane. He 
had much influence in forming the treaty of al- 
liance and commerce, wliicli was signed February 
6, 1778, and he afterwards completed a treaty of 
amity and commerce with Sweden. In conjunc- 
tion with Mr. Adams, Mr. Jay, and Mr. Laurens, 
he signed the provisional articles of peace, No- 
vember 30, 1782, and tlie definitive treaty, Sep- 
tember 30, 1783. 'While he was in France he was 
appointed one of the commissioners to examine 
Mesmer's animal inagnetism in 1784. Being de- 
sirous of returning to his native country he request- 
ed that an ojiibassador might be appointed in hi? 



FRANKLIX. 169 

place, fiiul oil the arrival of his successor, Mr. 
Jefferson, he immediately sailed for Philadelphia, 
Avhere he arrived in Septemher, 1785. He was 
received witli universal applause, and was soon 
appointed president of the supreme executi\ e coun- 
cil. Ill 1787, lie was a delegate to the grand con- 
vention, which formed the constitution of the Uni- 
ted States. In this convention he had differed in 
some points from the majority; hut v/lien the ar- 
ticles were ultimately decreed, he said to his col- 
leagues, ^' We ought to have hut one opinion; the 
good of our country requires that the resolatioii 
.should be unanimous;^^ and he signed. 

On the 17th of April, 1790, in the eighty-fourtk 
year of his age, lie expired in the city of Phila- 
delphia; encountering this last solemn conflict, 
with the same philosophical tranquility and pious 
resignation to the will of Heaven, v.hich had dis- 
tinguisjicd him through all the various events of 
his life. 

He v>-as interred, on the 21st oi April, and con- 
gress ordered a general mourning for him through- 
out America, of one month. In France, the ex- 
■)ression of public grief, was scarcely less enthu- 
siastic. There tlie event was solemnized, under 
t!\e direction of the municipality of Paris, by fu- 
Jicral orations; and the national assembly, his 
^leath being announced in a very eIo4[uent and pa- 
tlietic discourse, decreed that each of the members 
>hould wear mourning for three days, ''in com- 
memoration of the ewGuty^ and that a letter of con- 
dolence, for tlie irreparable loss tliey had sustain- 
■d, sliould be directed to the American congress. 
Honours extremely glorious iu his memory, and 
-uch, it has been remarked, as were never before 
paid by any public body of one nation, to the citi- 
zen of another. 

He lies buried in the iiorth- west corner of Christ 
Ohurch-vard: distingw.i&hed from the f-urroimding 
* I* ' 



J 70 FRANKLIN. 

dead, Ly tlic humility of his sepulchre. He is co- 
vered by a small marble slab, on a level witb the 
surface of tlie earth, and bearing the single in- 
scription of his name, ^vith that of his wife. A 
monument sulliciently corresponding to the plain- 
ness of Jiis manners, little suitable to the splendor 
of his virtues. 

He liad two children, a son and a daughter, and 
several grand -children who survived him. The 
son, who bad been governor of New- Jersey, under 
the British government, adhered, during the revo- 
lution, to the royal party, and spent the remain- 
der of his life in England. The daughter married 
Mr Bache, of Philadelphia, whose descendants 
yet reside in that city. 

Franklin enjoyed, during the greater part of his 
life, a healthy constitution, and excelled in exerci- 
ses of strength and activity. In stature he was 
above the middle size; manly, atliletic, and well 
proportioned. His countenance, as it is represent- 
ed in liis portrait, is distinguished by an air of 
•serenity and satisfaction; the natural consequen- 
ces of a vigorous temperament, of strengtii of 
mind, and conscious integrity: It is also marked, 
in visible characters, by deep thought and inflexi- 
ble resolution. 

The w hole life of Franklin, his meditations and 
his labours, have all been directed to public utili- 
ty: but the grand object that he had always in 
view, did not shut his lieart against private friend- 
ship; he loved his family, and liis friends, and was 
extremely beneficent. In society he was senten- 
tious, but not fluent; a listener rather than a talk- 
er; an informing rather than a pleasing companion: 
impatient of interruption, he often mentioned the 
custom of the Indians, who always remain silent 
some time before they give an answer to a question, 
which they have lieard attentively; unlike some of 
the politest societies in Europe, where a sentence 



GADSDEN. 171 

can sciii'ccly be fmishod witliout intciTuptioii. lu 
the midst of his greatest occupations for the liber- 
ty of his country, lie had some pliysical experi- 
ment always near him in his closet; and the 
sciences, which he liad rather discovci-ed than 
studied, afforded him a continual source of plea- 
sure. He made various bequests and donations to 
cities, pulilic bodies and individuals. 

The following epitaph was written by Dr. 
Franklin, for himself, ^vhen he was only twenty- 
three years of age^ as appears by the original (with 
various corrections) found among his papers, and 
from ^vliich this is a faithful copy. 
''The body of 
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, 

PRINTER, 

(Like tlie cover of an old book, 
Its contents torn out. 
And stript of its lettering and gilding,; 
Lies here, food for worms; 
But the work sliail not be lost, 
For it will (as lie believed) appear once more, 
In a new, and more elegant edition. 
Revised and corrected 
by 
THE AUTHOR." 
GADSDEN, Christopher, lieutenant govern- 
or of South Carolina, and a distinguished friend 
of Ills country, was born about tlie year 1724. So 
high was his reputation in the colony in which he. 
lived, that he was appointed one of the delegates 
to the congress, whicli met at New York in Octo- 
ber, 1765, to petition against the stamp-act. 

Judge Johnson, in his life of general Greene, 
sa} s, "There was at least one man in South Caroli- 
na, who, as early as 1766, foresaid and foretold the 
views of the British government, and explicitly 
urged his adherents to the resolution to resist even 
to death. General Gadsden, it is well known^ 



irs GADSDEN. 

and there are still living witnesses to prove it, al- 
ways laboured the most derisive and energetic 
measures. He tliought it a folly to temporise, and 
insisted tliat cordial reconciliation on honourable 
terms, was impossible. AYhen the news of the re- 
peal of the stamp-act arrived, and the whole com- 
munit}' was in extac}^ at the event, he, on the con- 
trary, received it with indignation, and private- 
ly convening a party of liis friends heneath the 
< elebrated Liberty-'l'ree, he there harangued them 
at considerahle lengtli on the folly of relaxing their 
opposition and vigilance, or indulging tlic falla- 
cious hoi)e, that Great Britain would relinquish 
iier designs or pretensions. He drew their atten- 
tion to the preamble of tlic act, and forcibly press- 
ed upon them the absurdity of rejoicing at an act 
that still asserted and maintained tlie absolute 
dominion over them. And tlien revicwijig all 
liie ( hanccs of succeeding in a struggle to break 
the fetters wlienever again imposed on them, he 
pressed them to prepare their minds for the event. 
The address v>as received with silent but profound 
devotion, and with linked hands, the whole party 
pleelged themselves to resist: a pledge that was 
faithfully redeemed when tlie hour of trial arrived. 
It \M\s from this event that tlie Liberty-Tree took 
its name. The first convejition of South Carolina 
field their meeting under it." 

He was also chosen a member of tlie congress 
which met in 1774; and on his return early in 
1776, received the thanks of tlie provincial assem- 
bly for his ser\ ices. He v, as among the iirst wlio 
advocated republican principles, and wished to 
make his country independent of the monarchial 
government of Great Britain. 

During the siege of Charleston, in 1780, he re- 
mained within the lines with five of the council, 
while governor llutledge, with the other three, left 
the city, at the earnest request of general Lincoln, 



GADSDEN. 173 

Several months after tlie capitulation, lie was taken 
out of Uis bed on the 27tli of August, and, witli 
most of the civil and military officers, transported 
in a guard-ship to St. Augustine. This was done 
by the order of lord Cornwallis, and it was in vio- 
lation of tlic rights of prisoners on parole. Guards 
were left at their houses, and the private papers of 
some of them were examined. A parole was offer- 
ed at St. Augustine, but such was the indignation 
of lieutenant governor Gadsden, at the ungenerous 
treatment which he had received, that he^ refused 
to accept it, and bore a close confinement in the 
eastle for forty-two weeks, v,ith the greatest forti- 
tude. 

Garden, in his anecdotes of the revolutionary 
war. gives the following interesting particulars : 
••The conduct of the British commanders towards 
this venerable patriot, in the strongest manner 
e\ inced their determination rather to crush the 
spirit of opposition, than by conciliation to subdue 
it. The man did not exist to whose delicate sense 
of honour, even a shadow of duplicity would have 
appeared more ahhorrent than general Gadsden. 
Transported by an arbitrary decree, with many of 
tlie most resolute and influentia.1 citizens of the re- 
public, to St. Augustine, attendance on parade was 
peremptorily demanded; when a British officer 
stepping for vsard, said, * Expediency, and a series 
of political occurrences, have rendered it necessa- 
ry to remove you from Charleston to this place; 
but. gentlemen, we have no wish to increase your 
sufferings; to all, tliercfore, who are willing to 
give their paroles, not to go beyond the limits pre- 
scribed to them, tlie liberty of the town will be al- 
lowed; a dungeon will be the destiny of such as re- 
fuse to accept the indulgence.' The proposition was 
generally acceded to. But when general Gads- 
den was called to give this new^ pledge of faith, he 
indignantly exclaimed, ^With men who have ant^ 



174 GADSDEN. 

deceived me, I can enter into no new contract. — 
Had the British commanders regai'ded the terms 
of the capitulation of Charleston, I might now, al- 
though a prisoner, under my own roof, have enjoy- 
ed the smiles and consolations of my surrounding 
family; but even without a shadow of accusation 
•proffered against me, for any act inconsistent with 
my plighted faitli, I am torn from them, and here, 
in a distant land, invited to enter into new engage- 
ments. I will give no parole,' * Think better ol 
it, sir,* said the officer, *a second refusal of it will 
fix your destiny: a dungeon will be your future 
habitation.' 'Prepare it, then,' said the inflexible 
patriot, * I will give no ])arole, so help me GoiV 

*^ When first shut up in the castle of St. Augus- 
linc, the comfort of a light was denied him by tlie 
commandant of the fortress. A generous subalt= 
crn offered to supply him with a candle, but he de- 
clined it, least the officer should expose himself to 
the censure of his superior. 

^^After Andre's arrest, colonel Glazier, the gov- 
ernor of the castle, sent to advise general Gadsden 
to prepare himself for the worst; intimating, that 
as general Washington had been assured of retali- 
ation, if Andre was executed, it w as not unlikely 
that general Gadsden would be the person select- 
(-.d. To this message he replied, *That he was al- 
ways prepared to die for his country; and though 
lie knew it was impossible for Washington to yield 
the right of an independent state by the law of 
war, to fear or affection, yet he would not shrink 
f!'oin the sacrifice, and would rather ascend the 
scaffold than purchase with his life the dishonoui: 
of his country." 

In 1782, when it became necessary, by the ro- 
tation established, to choose a new governor, he 
was elected to this office; but he declined it in a 
short speech to the following effect. ^'I have 
sjerved my country in a variety of stations hv 



GADSDEN. ITS 

tliirty yearsi and I would now cheerfully make one 
of a forlorn hope in an assault on the lines of 
Charleston^ if it was prohable, that, with the loss 
of life, you, my friends, would be reinstated in the 
possession of your capital. What I can do for my 
country I am willing to do. My sentiments in fa- 
vour of the American cause, from the stamp act 
downwards, have never changed. I am still of 
opinion, that it is the cause of liberty and of human 
nature. The present times require the vigour and 
activity of tlie prime of life: but 1 feel the increas- 
ing infirmities of old age to .such a degree, that 1 
am conscious I cannot serve you to advantage. I 
therefore, beg for your sakes, and for t!ie sake of 
the public, that you would indulge me with the li- 
berty of declining the arduous trust" He con- 
tinued, however, iiis exertions for the good of his 
country, both in the assembly and council, and 
notVfitiistanding the injuries he had suffered, and 
the immense loss of his property, he zealously op- 
|K)sed the law for confiscating the estates of the ad- 
herents to the British government, and contended 
that sound policy required to forgive and forget. 

The editor will here give an extract from an 
oration delivered at the city of Wasiiington. on 
the fourth of July, 1812. by Richard Rush, Esq. 
where he refers to the patriotism of the venerable 
Gadsden. He said, ^* By one of the surviving 
patiiots of our revolution, I have been told, that 
in the congress of 1774, among other arguments 
used to prevent a v»ar, and separation from Gj'cat 
Bi-itain, the danger of having our towns battered 
down and burnt, was zealously urged. The vene- 
rable Christopher Gadsden, of South Carolina, 
rose, and replied to it in thes*e memorable words: 
'^Our sea-port towns, Mr. Presidejit,- are compo- 
sed of brick and wood. If they are destroyed, we 
have clay and timber enough to rebuild them. But, 
if the liberties of our country are destroyed, v/here- 



176 e^ATES. 

sLall we find the matcriuls to rcj)lacc tlieiu?*' Be- 
liold ill this an example of virtuous seutimcnt fit to 
be imitated." He died September, 1805, aged 
ciglity-one years. 

GATES, IIoKATio, was a iialive of England, 
and was boin in 17528. The condition of liis fami- 
ly, tlie incident and ])i'ospects of his youth, and his 
education, we are not able to communicate any 
particulars. There is reason to believe that lie 
entered the army very early, and began his career 
as an ensign or lieutenant; yet, we arc told, that 
he obtained, by merit merely, the rank of major, 
and V. as aid-de-camp to the Britisli officer, who 
( ommanded at tiie cripture of Martinico. At tlie 
conclusion of the war in 1748, he was stationed 
sometime at Halifax, in Nova Scotia. At that 
period, if the date of his birth be accurate, his age 
did not exceed twenty years. 

He continued in the army, and, probably, in 
some American garrison, during the ensuing seven 
years of peace. A new war then broke out in 
Germany, and Nortli Amciica, and i\li\ Gates, in 
quality of captaii! of foot, att5*acts our notice in the 
earliest and most conspicuous scene of that war. 
He was in the army \^hich accompanied the unfor- 
tunate Braddock, in tlie expedition against Fort 
flu Qnesne, and, together witli the illustrious 
Washington, was among thefew^ oliiCers, who. on 
that occasion, escaped wUh life. He did notes- 
cape, however, without a \ery dangerous \\ound, 
which, for a time, shut him out from the bloody 
and perilous scenes of that long and diversified 
contest. He remained in America to the jieace of 
1763, and then returned to his native country with 
a full efirned reputation for activity, enterprise, 
and courage. 

At the opening of the American w ar we find him 
settled on a farm in Virginia. At what time he 
laid down the military life, and returned to spend 



GATES. irr 

the rest of liis days in the new world, we are not 
informed, hut his conduct evinced so perfect an at- 
tacliment to his new country, and his military re- 
putation was so high, that he was immediately ap- 
pointed hy congress, adjutant-general, witli the 
rank of hrigadier-general, in the new army. Gen- 
eral Washington was well acquainted with his 
merits in his military character, and warmly re- 
commended him to congress on this occasion. 
They had heen feliow-soldiers and sufferers under 
liraddock. 

From this period, he took a very active part in 
nTost of the transactions of the war, and his ahili- 
ties and good fortune placed him in a rank infe- 
rior only to Washington, and above any other gen- 
eral. He accompanied the commander in chief to 
Massachusetts, in July, 1775, and was employed 
for some time, in a subordinate, but highly useful 
capacity. 

In 1776, General Gates was appointed to the 
chief command of the forces destined against Ti- 
condei'oga and Crown Point. 

In the spring of 1777, he was appointed, with 
Schuyler, from a subordinate, to tlie chief com- 
mand on the northern frontier. In May, of the 
same year, he was superseded by Schuyler, nor 
was it, until after Burgoyne with his well appoint- 
ed legions had reached Ticonderoga, tliat he re- 
sumed the command. This place, commanded by 
Sinclair, was evacuated without a siege^ on the 
fifth of July. The retreating army under Sin- 
clair, was hotly pursued, overtaken, and defeated. 
Fort Ann and Skeeusborougii were occupied by 
the eneni} , and all attempts to checli his further 
progress appeared wholly desperate. 

At this crisis a small delay in the advance of 
Burgoyne, from Skeensborough, rendered neces- 
sary by the natural difriculties of the country, was 
diligently employed by general Schuyler. That 



178 GATES. 

ineritoi'ious officer contrived to raise the most for- 
midable iiTipedimcnts to the further progress of 
Bui'goyiie, by breaking down the bridges, ob- 
structing the navigation of Wood-creek^ clioking 
np the roads, or rather pathways tlirougli tlie for- 
est, by felled trees, and by driving off all the cat- 
tle of the neighbouring country. These obstruc- 
tions were so formidable that Burgoyne did not ar- 
I'ive at Fort Edward, on the upper branches of the 
Hudson, till twenty-five days after his pause at 
Skeensborough. Here, a painful, nnseasonable^ 
and dangerous pause, Vvas again necessary, in or- 
der to procure provisions from the posts in the 
rear, and to collect the boats and other vessels ne- 
cessary for the navigation of the Hudson. 

The progress of Burgoyne was arrested at tlie 
very point where it should seem all obstacles, of 
any moment, were fully surmounted. He had 
reached the Hudson, by a most painful and labo- 
rious march through the forest, and a detachment 
of his army under St. Lcger, who had been direct- 
ed to approach the Hudson by another road, had 
nearly effected this purpose. St. Leger liad gain- 
ed a !)attle, and was now besieging fort Schuyler, 
the surrender of ^\ liich was necessary to the fur- 
ther co-operation of the British generals, and was 
confidently anticipated. The tide of events, how- 
ever, now- suddenly took a new direction. 

Foi't Schuyler refused to surrender, and the as- 
sault of the besiegers made very little impression 
on the works. The Indians, who composed a large 
part of St. Leger's arm.y, began to display their 
usual fickleness and treachery, and after many ef- 
forts made by the British general to detain them, 
finally resolved to withdraw. This created an ab- 
solute necessity for raising the siege, which was 
done with great precipitation, and with the loss of 
all tiseir camp equipage and stores- 

On the other side, the strenuous exertions of 



GATES. ^179 

general Scliiiyler, had deprived Burgoync of all 
those resources ^yhich the neighbouring country 
might have ailbrdcd him. After a fortnight's la- 
bour, he had been able to collect only twelve boats^ 
and five day's provision for his army. An attempt 
to obtain possession of a depository of provisions 
at Bennington, had failed, and two detachments, 
sent on that service had been defeated. The mili- 
tia of the eastern and low er country were rapidly- 
collecting, and threatened to raise obstacles still 
more formidable than those of nature. 

Gates was now appointed to succeed Schuyler, 
and arrived at the scene of action on the 21st of 
August, 1777. 

It Avas fortunate for general Gates, that the re- 
treat from Ticonderoga had been conducted under 
other auspices tlian his, and that he took the com- 
mand when tiie indefatigable but unrequited labors 
of Schuyler, and the courage of Starke and his 
mountaineers, had already insured the ultimate de- 
feat of Burgoyne, who, notwithstanding his unfa- 
vourable prospcctsj w ould not think of saving his 
army by a timely retreat, was highly propitious to 
the neW' American commander. 

After collecting thirty days provision, Burgoyne 
passed tfie Hudson and encamped at Saratoga.— 
Gates, with numbers already equal, and daily in- 
creasing, began to advance towards him with are- 
solution to oppose liis progress at the risk of a battle. 
He encamped at Stillwater, and Burgoync hastened 
forward to open the way with his sword. On tiie 
17th of September, the two armies were within four 
miles of each other. Tw o days after, skirmishes 
bctw een advanced parties terminated in an engage- 
ment almost general, in which the utmost efforts of 
tlie British merely enabled tliem to maintain the 
footing of the preceding day. 

Burgoyne, unassisted by the Bristish forces un- 
der Clinton at New York, found bioiself unable to 



180 GATES. 

pursue his marcli down the river, and in the hope 
of this assistance, was content to remain in his 
camp, and stand on the defensive. His army wa« 
likewise diniinished by the desertion of the Indians 
and Canadian militia, to k^ss than one half of its 
original number. Gates, finding his forces large- 
ly increasing, being plentifully supplied witli pro- 
visions, and knowing that Burgoyne had only a li- 
mited stoi'e, which was rapidly lessening, and could 
not be I'ccruited, was not without hopes that victo- 
ry would come, in time, even witliout a battle.— 
His troops were so numerous, and liis fortified po- 
sition so strong, that he was ahle to take measures 
for preventing the retreat of the enemy, hy occu- 
pying the strong posts in his rear. Accordingly, 
nineteen days passed without any further opera- 
tions, a delay as ruinous to one party, as it was ad- 
vantageous to the other. At the end of this period, 
the British general found his prospects of assist- 
ance as remote as ever, and the consumption of his 
stores so alai'ming, that retreat or victory became 
unavoidable alternatives. 

On tlie 8th of October, a warm action eusued, in 
which the British were every where repulsed, and 
a part of their lines occupied hy tlieir enemies. 
Burgoyne's loss was very considerable in killed, 
wounded and prisoners, while the favouralde situa- 
tion of Gates's army made its losses in the battle of 
no moment. Burgoyne retired in the night to a 
stronger cam j), but the measures immedi.iteiy taken 
by Gates to cut off his retreat, compelled him with- 
out delay to regain his former cainp at Saratoga. 
There he arrived with little molestation from Ids 
adversary. His pi'ovisions being now reduced to 
llie supply of a few days, the transport of artil- 
lery ajtd baggage, towards Canada, being rendered 
impracticable by tiie judicious measures of his ad- 
versary, tiie Britisii general resolved upon a rapid 
}i'etreat, merely Avith v/hat the soldiers could carry. 



GATfiS. iSi 

On a careful scrutiny, however, it was found 
\liat they ^^e^e deprived even of this resource, as 
the passes through which their route lay, were so 
strongly guarded, tliat nothing but artillery could 
clear them. In this desperate situation a parley 
took place, and on the 1 6th of October the whole 
army surrendered to Gates. The prize obtained 
consisted of more than five thousand prisoners, 
some fine artillery, seven thousand muskets, clo- 
thing for 7000 men, with a great quantity of tents,, 
and other military stores. All the frontier fort- 
resses were immi^dialely abandoned to tlic victors. 
It is not easy to overrate the importance of this 
success. It may be considered as deciding the 
war of the revolution, as from that period the Bri- 
tish cause began rapidly to decline. The capture 
of Cornwallis was hardly of equal importance to 
that of Burgoyne. and was, in itself, an event of 
much less splendour, and productive of less exul- 
tation. 

How far the misfortunes of Burgoyne were owing 
to the accidents beyond human controul, and hov/ 
far they are ascribed to the individu.al conduct and 
courage of tlie American commander, would he a 
useless and invidious inquir3\ Reasoning on the 
:n*dinary ground, his merits were exceedingly 
great, and this event entitled him to a high rank 
among the deliverers of his country. The memo- 
ry of all former misfortunes were effaced by the 
magnitude of this victory, and the government and 
people vied with each other in expressing their ad- 
miration of the conquering general. Besides the 
Uianks of congress, the general received from the 
president a gold m^dal, as a memorial of tlieir 
gratitude. 

Every war abounds v.ith cases of private suf- 

lerlug and distress, very few of which become pub- 

Uc, though sympathy and curiosity are powerfullj^ 

'^xci^ed bv narrative : ff I'-at kind; and the f-e^ 





182 GATES. 

iiigs of a whoJc luilioji arc remarkably swayed 
by tbem. The expedition of Biirgoync was adorn- 
ed by the romantic and aftecting tales of M-Crea, 
and lady Harriet Arkland. I'he latter is of no 
further consequence in this narration, than as it 
reflects great credit on the politeness and humani- 
ty of general Gates. Major Ackland, the hus- 
band of this lady, was wounded and made prison- 
er in one of the battles preceding the surrender, 
and his wife, in going to the hostile camp to at- 
tend her husband, met with a reception, which 
proved that long converse with military scenes, had 
left the virtues of humanity wholly unimpaired in 
his bosom. 

Gates was now placed at the head of tlie board 
of war; a post of trust and dignity, scarcely infe- 
rior to that of the commander in chief. 

He was in a private station, residing on his 
farm in Virginia, in June, 1780. The low state 
of their affairs, in the southern districts, induced 
congress, on the ISth of that month, to call him to 
the chief command in tliat quarter. The state of 
affairs in Pennsylvania, Jersey, and New York, 
afforded sufficient employment for Washington, 
and Gates being the next in i-ank and reputation, 
was resorted to as the last refuge of his suffering 
country. 

The efforts of the British in the southern states 
had been very strenuous and successful. Charles- 
ton, the chief city, had been taken. All the Amer- 
ican detachments, collected with great difficulty, 
easily dissolved by their own fears, ill furnished 
with arms, and unqualified for war, by inexpe- 
rience and w ant of discipline, were instantly over- 
whelmed and dispersed by the well equipped ca- 
valry of Tarleton, and the veterans of Rawdon 
and Cornwallis. The American leaders were fa- 
mous for their valour, perseverance, and activity; 
hilt these qualities would not supply the place of 



GATES. 183 

guus, and of liands to manage them. x4.t this cri- 
sis Gates took tlie command of that miserable rem- 
nant ^Yhich bore the name of the southern army, 
and which mastered about fifteen hundred men. A 
very numerous and formidable force existed in the 
promises of North Carolina and Virginia. The 
paper armies of the new states always made a no- 
ble appearance. All the muniments of war over- 
flowed the skirts of these armies; but. alas! the 
iield was as desolate as the pa,per estimate was 
full. The promised army proved to be only one 
tenth of the stipulated number, and assembled at 
the scene of action long after the fixed time. 
The men vrere destitute of arms and ammunition, 
and, what was most to be regretted, were undisci- 
plined. 

Two modes of immediate action were proposed. 
One was to advance into the country possessed by 
the enemy, by a road somev.hat circuitous, but 
which would supply the army with accommoda- 
tion and provisions. Gates was averse to dilato- 
ry measures. He was, perhaps, somewhat misled 
by the splendid success which had hitherto attend- 
ed him. He was anxious to come to action imme- 
diately, and to terminate the w ar by a few bold and 
energetic efforts. He. therefore, resolved to col- 
lect all the troops into one body, and to meet the 
enemy as soon as possible. Two days after his 
arrival in camp he began his march by the most 
direct road. This road, unfortunately, led through 
a barren country, in the hottest and most un- 
wholesome season of the year. 

During this march, all tlie forebodings of those 
who preferred a different track, were amply ful- 
filled. A scanty supply of cattle, found nearly 
V, ild in the woods, was their principal sustenance, 
Y>-hile bread or flour was almost wholly wanting, 
and when vve add to a scarcity of food, the malig- 
nity of tiie climate and the season, we shall not 



184 GATES. 

wonder that the work of the enemy was imticipa^ 
ted in the destruction of considerable niimbei's bj 
disease. The perseverance of Gates, in surmount- 
ing the ohs hides presented by piny thickets and 
dismal swamps, deserves praise, however injudi- 
cious the original choice of such a road may be 
thought by some. In this course he effected a junc- 
uon with some militia of North Carolina^ and 
with a tletachment under Porterfield. 

He finally took possession of Clermont, whence 
the British commander, lord Rav.don, had pre- 
viously withdrawn. That general prepared, by 
collecting and centering his forces in one body, to 
overwhelm him in a single battle. Lord Rawdon 
was posted, with his forces, at Camden. After 
some deliberation, the American leader determin- 
ed to approach the English, and expose himself to 
the cliance of a battle. 

Rumour had ma^lc tlic ninnhers of tlie Americans 
much greater tlian they really were in the imagi- 
aation of the British. Cornwallis, himself, liasten- 
ed to the scene of action, and, though mustering 
all Iris strength for this arduous occasion, could 
not bring two thousand effective men into the field. 
Nineteen, however, out of twenty, of tlicse, were 
Ycterans of the most formidable (pialifications^. 
With the reinforcement of seven hundred Virgi- 
nia militia and some other detachments, Gates's 
army did not fall short of four thocisand men. A 
very small portion of these were regular troops, 
while the rest were a wavering and undisciplined 
militia, whose presence was rather injurious than 
beneficial. 

Notwithstanding his inferiority of numbers, 
Cornwallis found that a retreat would be more 
pernicious than a battle under the worst auspices; 
and he himself on the I6th of August, prepared to 
attack his enemy. General Gates had taken the 
same resolution at the same time; and the adverse 



GATES. 185 

forces came to an engagement^ in which the Amer- 
icans suffered a defeat. The loss of the hattle was 
ascribed, with reason, to the unskilfulness of the 
militia. Among these the route and confusion was 
absolute and irretrievable, and Gates had the sin- 
gular fortune of conducting the most prosperous 
and the most disastrous of the military enterprises 
in this war. 

Here was a dismal reverse in the life of Gates. 
His prosperous scale sunk at Camden as fast as it 
liad mounted at Saratoga. Thei*e had been a dif- 
ference of opinion as to the best road to the theati'C 
of action, and the hardships and diseases which 
one party had foretold would infest the road which 
he took, actually exceeded what was menaced. A 
hattle lost against half the number, in circumstan- 
ces where the vanquished army was taken, in some 
degree, by surprise, would not fail to suggest sus- 
picions as to the caution or discernment of the 
general. 

Gates continued in command till October the 
5th, in the same year, about fifty days after the 
disaster at Camden. In this interval he had been 
busily employed in repairing the consequences of 
that defeat, and was now reposing for the winter. 
He was, on that day, however, displaced, and sub- 
jected to the inquiry of a special court. The in- 
quiry was a tedious one, but terminated finally in 
the acquittal of the general. He was reinstated in 
his military command in tiie year 1782. In the 
meantime, however, the great scenes of the south- 
ern war« especially the capture of Cornwallis, bad 
past. Little room was aiforded to a new general 
to gather eitlier laurels or henbane. A particular 
detail of those transactions in which he was con- 
cerned, exceeds the limits prescribed to this hasty 
sketch. In like manner, we are unable to digest 
that voluminous mass of letters, evidences, am! 
Q9 



186 (^ATES. 

documents by ^\luch the resolution of congress, in 
favour of his contiuct at Camden, was dictated. 

The capture of Cornwallis which produced such 
grand and imme<liate consequences, swallowed up 
the memory of all former exploits, and whatever 
sentence the impartial historian may pronounce on 
the comparative importance of the capture of Bur- 
goyne, and the surrender of Cornwallis, to the na- 
tional welfare, or to tlie merit of the leaders, the 
people of that time could not hearken to any such 
parallel. They swam in joy and exultation, and 
(he hero of York-town was alike with congress and 
with the people the only saviour of his country. 

When the revolution was completed, Gates re- 
tired to his plantation in Virginia. We are unac- 
quair»ted w ith the particulars of his domestic econ- 
omy; but have reason to infer that it was eminent- 
ly mild and liberal, since seven years afterwards, 
when he took up his final residence in New York, 
jie gave freedom to his slaves. Instead of turning 
djem to the highest profit, he made provision for 
the old and infirm, w hile several of them testified 
their attachment to him by remaining in his fami- 
ly. In the characteristic virtue of planters, hospi- 
tality, Gates had no competitor, and his reputation 
may well be supposed to put that virtue to a hard 
test. He purcha.sed, in the neighbourhood of New^ 
York, a spacious house, with valuable ground, for 
the life of himself and his wife, and here, with few 
exceptions, he remained for the rest of his life. 

No wonder that the military leaders in the revo- 
lution, sliould aspire to the enjoyment cf its civil 
honours afterwards. Tlie war was too short to 
«^reate a race of mere soldiers. The merchants 
and lawyers who entered the army, became mer- 
chants and lawyers again, and had lost none of 
their })rimitive qualifications for administering the 
civil government. Gates, however, was a singu- 
lar example among the officers of high rank. His 



GREENE. 187 

original profession was a soldier, and disabled liini 
from acquiring the capacity suitable to the mere 
magistrate and senator. During twenty-three 
years, he was only for a short time in a public 
body. In the year 1800, he was elected to the 
New York legislature, in consequence of a critical 
balance of the parties in that state, and witlidrew 
again into private life, as soon as the purpose for 
which he w^s elected was gained. 

General Gates was a whig in England and a re- 
publican in America. His political opinions did 
not separate liim from many respectable citizens;, 
whose views differed widely from his own. 

He had a handsome person, tending to corpu- 
lence, in the middle of life; remarkably courteous 
to all; and carrying good humour sometimes be- 
yond the limits of dignity. He is said to have re- 
ceived a classical education, and not to have en- 
tirely neglected that advantage in after life. To 
science, literature, or erudition, however, he made 
no pretensions; but gave indisputable marks of a 
social, amiable and benevolent disposition. 

He died, without posterity, at his customary 
abode, near New York, on the 10th of x\pril, 1806, 
after having counted a long series of 78 years. 

GREENE, Nathaniel, a major general in 
the army of the United States, and one of the most 
distinguished officers in the revolutionary war, was 
born in the town of Warwick, in Rhode Island, in 
the year 1741. His parents were Quakers. His 
father was a respectable anchor-smith. Being in- 
tended for the business which his father pursued^ 
young Greene received nothing but a common Eng- 
lish education. But, to himself, an acquisition so 
humble and limited, was unsatisfactory and mor- 
tifying. While he w as a boy lie learned the Latin 
language chiefly by his own industry. Having 
procured, in part by his own economy, a small 
library, he spent his evenings, and all the time lie 



188 GREENE. 

could redeem from business, in I'cgular study. He 
read ^vitll a view to genei'al improvements but mil- 
itary histoiy occupied a considerable share of bis 
attention, and constituted ]»is delight. 

He embarked in bis father's line of business, 
and in the regular pursuit of it emplo} ed a consid- 
erable portion of bis time, until be was elevated, at 
an unusually early age, to a seat in the legislature 
of his native colony. In this situation, tlie com- 
mencement of the revolutionary war foimd him; 
and, the undisguised part w hicli lie took in promo- 
ting an appeal to arms, caused him to be dismissed 
from the society of friends, of ^vhicb be liad ante- 
ecdently been a member. 

lie began his military career as a private in 
a military association, of which he was the princi- 
pal promoter, and which Avas cbartered undei* the 
name of the Kentish Guards, and commanded by 
general James M. Varnum, But in the year 1775, 
Bhode-Island having raised three regiments of mi- 
litia, amounting in tftc \\liolc to about 1600, and 
officered by some of her most distinguished inliab- 
itants, she placed them under the command of Mr. 
Greene, with the lank of brigadier general, wbo^ 
without loss of time, conducted them to bead-quar- 
ters, in the village of Cambridge. 

Here, having, by a single act of promotion, af- 
ter a noviciate of about seven months, exchanged 
the rarkk of a private, for that of a general officer, 
be soon distinguished himself, in bis present sta- 
tion, and offered to others, a most salutary exam- 
ple. This Ijc did in a vei'y special manner, and, 
with the happiest clfect, by his prompt obedience 
to the commands of his superiors, at a time, when 
that subordination, which alone can render an ar- 
my efficient and powerful, was not yet established; 
by habits of strict and laborious attention, in the 
regular study of the military science: and by the 
cx( elbnit discipline, wliicb he caused to be intro- 
duced into his own brigade. 



GREENE. 189 

General Greene's merit and abilities, as well in 
the council as in the field, were not long unnoticed 
by general Washington, who reposed in him the 
utmost confidence, and paid a particular deference 
to his advice and opinioii, on all occasions of doubt 
and difficulty. 

He was appointed major general bv congress, 
the 26th of August, 1776. Towards the close ol' 
that year, he was at the Trenton surprise; and, at 
tlie beginning of the next, was at the battle of 
Princeton, two enterprises not more happily plan- 
ned than judiciously and braveiy executed, in hotli 
of which he higlily distingaislied himself, serving 
his noviciate under tlie American Fabius. 

At the battle of Germantown, he commanded the 
left wing of the American army; and his utmost 
endeavours were exerted to retrieve the fortune of 
that day, in which his conduct met with the appro- 
bation of the commander in chief. 

In March, 1778, he was appointed quaii;er- mas- 
ter-general, wliich office he accepted under astipu- 
lation, that his rank in the army should not be af- 
fected by it, and that he should retain his right to 
command, in timo of action, according to his rank 
and seniority. This he exercised at the battle of 
Monmouth, \^here he commanded the right wing 
of the army. 

About the middle of the same year, an attack 
being planned by the Auiericans, in conjunction 
with the French fleet, on the British garrison at 
Newport, Rhode-Island, general Sullivan was ap- 
pointed to the command, under whom general 
Greene served. Tliis attempt was unsuccessful; 
th/^ French fleet liaving sailed out of harbour, to 
engage lord Howe's fleet, they were dispersed by 
a storm, and the Americans were obliged to raise 
i\w siege of Newport, in doing which, general 
Greene displayed a great degree of skill, in draw- 
ing off the army in safety. 



190 GREENE. 

After the hopes of tlie British ge)ierals, to exe- 
cute some decisis e stroke to tlie northward were 
frustrated, tliey turned tlieir attention to the 
southern states, as less capahle of defence, and 
more likely to reward the invaders with ample 
plunder. A grand expedition was, in consecjuence, 
planned at jNew-York, where the army cuiharked 
on the 26th of December, 1779: they landed on 
the nth of February, 1780, within about thirty 
miles of Charleston, which, after abiave defence, 
Avas surrendered to sir Hcnrv Clinton, on the 1 2th 
of May. 

A series of ill success follow^ed this unfortunate 
event. Tlie American arms in South Carolina, 
were, in general, unsuccessful; pjid the inhabi- 
tants were obliged to submit to the invaders, 
whose impolitic severity was extremely ill calcu- 
lated to answer any of the objects for wliich tlie 
war had been commenced. 

Affaii's were thus circumstanced, when general 
Washington appointed general Greene to the com- 
mand of the American forces in tlie southern dis- 
trict. He arrived at Charlotte on the 2d day of 
December, 1780, accompanied by general INIorgan, 
a bi*ave oiiicer, who had distinguished himself to 
the northward, in the expedition against Bur- 
goyne. He found the forces he was to command, 
reduced to a ^ cry small number, by defeat and by 
desei'tion. Tlie returns ^^ere nirie hundred and 
se^ enty continentals, and one thousand and thii- 
teen militia. Militaiy stores, provisions, forage, 
and all things necessary, were, if possible, in a 
more reduced state than his army. His men were 
without pay, and almost without clothing: and 
supplies of the latter were not to be had, but from 
a distance of two hundred miles. In this perilous 
and embarrassed situation, he had to oppose a res- 
pectable and victorious army. Fortunately for 
Idm, the conduct of some of the friends of royalty 



GREENE. 191 

j,»biige(l JiumbcrSj otlierwisc disposed to remain 
neuter, to take up arms in their own defence. 
This, and the prudent measures the general took 
for removing the innumerable difficulties and dis- 
advantages he was surrounded with, and for con- 
ciliating tlie affections of the inhabitants, soon 
brought together a considerable force; far inferior, 
however, to that of the British, who deemed the 
country perfectly subjugated. 

After he had recruited his forces with all the 
friends to the revolution that he could assemble, 
lie sent a considerable detachment, under general 
Morgan, to the western extremities of the state, to 
protect the well-disposed inhabitants from the ra- 
vages of the tories. This force, wiiich was the 
first that had for a considerable time appeared 
there, on the side of the Americans, inspired the 
friends of liberty with new^ courage, so that num- 
bers of them crowded to the standard of general 
Morgan, who, at length, became so formidable, 
that lord Cornwallis thought proper to send colo- 
nel Tarleton, to dislodge him from the station he 
had taken. This officer was at the head of a thou- 
sand regular troops, and liad two field pieces. He 
came up, on the seventeenth of January, 1781, at 
a place called Cowpens, with general Morgan, 
whose force was much inferior, and was composed 
of two-thirds militia, and one-tliird continentals. 
An engagement was the immediate consequence. 

Morgan gained a complete victory o^ cr an offi- 
cer, tlie rapidity and success of whose attacks, un- 
til that time, might have entitled liim to make use 
of the declaration of Csesfir, *'veni, vidi, vici." 
Upwards of five hundred of the British laid down 
tlieir arms, and were made prisoners; a very con- 
siderable number were killed. Eight hundred 
stand of arms, two field pieces, and thirty-five 
baggage- waggons fell to the victors, who had only 
tweh e killed and sixty wounded. 



i9^> GREENE. 

This brilliant success quite disconcerted the plan 
of operations formed by lord Cornwallis. Ha> ing 
entertained no idea of any enemy to oppose in 
vSouth Carolina, the conquest of which he deemed 
complete, he had made evei*y preparation for car- 
rying his arms to the noi'thward, to gather tlie lau- 
rels which, he imagined, awaited him. He now 
foundhimself obliged to postpone this design. He 
marched witli rapidity after general Morgan, in 
hopes not only to recover the prisoners, but to re- 
venge Tarleton's losses. The American general, 
by a rapidity of movements, and the interference 
of Providence, eluded his efforts; and general 
Greene effected a junction of the two divisions of 
his little army, on tlie 7th of February. Still he 
was so'^far inferior to lord Cornwallis, that he was 
obliged to retreat northward; and, notwithstand- 
ing the vigilance and activity of his enemy, lie 
brought his men in safety into Virginia. 

In Virginia, general Greene received some re- 
inforcements, and had the promise of more; on 
which he returned again into North Carolina, 
where, on their arrival, he hoped to he able to act 
on tlie offensive. He encamped in the vicinity of 
lord Cornw allis's army. By a variety of the best 
concerted manoeuvres, he so judiciously supported 
the arrangement of his troops, by the secrecy and 
promptitude of his motions, that, during three 
weeks, while the enemy remained near liim, he 
prevented tliem from taking any advantage of 
their superiority; and even cut off all opportunity 
of the irrcceiving succours from the I'oyalsits. 

About the beginning of March, lie effected a 
junction with a continental regiment^ and two 
considerable bodies of Virginia and Carolina mi- 
litia. He then determined on attacking the Bri- 
tish conimaiKlcr without loss of time, *• being per- 
suaded," as he declared in his subsequent dispatch- 
es, ^'that. if be was successful, it would prove 



GREENE. 193 

ruinous to llic enemy; and, if otherwise, iiiptt it 
would be but a partial evil toliim." On the 14th, 
he arrived at Guilford court-house, the British then 
lying attv^elve miles distance. 

" His army consisted of about four thousand five 
liundrcd men, of whom near two-thirds were North 
Carolina arnd Virginia militia. The British vvcre 
about two thousand four hundred; ail regular 
troops, and the greater part inuied to toil and ser- 
^ ice in their long expedition under lord Cornwal-, 
]is, who, on tlic morning of the 15th, being appri- 
sed of general Greene's intentions, marclied to 
meet him. Tiie latter disposed his army in three 
lines; the militia of North Carolina were in front; 
the second line was composed of those of Virgi- 
)iia; and the third, v, hich v.as tJie llower of the 
army, was formed of continental troops, near fif- 
teen hundred in number. I'liey were flanked on 
both sides by cavalry and riflemen, and were post- 
ed on a rising ground, a mile and a hrjf from 
Cruilford court-house. 

The engagement commenced at half an hour af- 
ter one o'clock, by a brisk cannonade; after which, 
the British advanced in tiiree columns; and attack- 
ed the first line, composed of North C,arolina mili- 
tia. These, who, probably, had never been in ac- 
tion before, were panic struck at the approach of 
'he enemy; and many of tl^em ran away v. ithout 
iiring a gun, or being fired u])on, and even before 
the British liad come nearer than one hundred and 
forty yards to them. Fart of them, ho v* ever, fired; 
but they then followed the example of their com- 
rades. Their oiliccrs made every possible effort to 
rally them : but the advantages of their position, 
^ior any other consideration, could induce them to 
iuaintain their ground. Tins shameful conduct 
Iiad a great effect upon the issue of the battle. Tlie 

sext line, however, behaved much better. They 
'ought witli great bravery; and were thrown into 
R 



•i94 GREENE. 

disorder: rallied, returned to the charge, and kept 
up a l^cavy lire for a long time; hut were at length 
hrokoii, and driA en on tlie third line, when the en- 
gagement hecame general, very severe, and very 
bloody. At length, superiority of discipline car- 
ried the day from superiority of numbers. The 
conflict endured an hour and a half ; and was ter- 
minated by general Greene's ordering a retreat, 
when he pcrcei^ ed that the enemy were on the point 
of encircling his troops. 

Tills was a hard fought action. Lord Cornwal- 
iis stated liis losses in killed, wounded, and mis- 
sing, at five hundred and thirty-tw o, among whom 
Avere several officers of considerable rank. But 
this battle was, nevertheless, decisive in its conse- 
quejices. Lord Cornwallis was, three days after, 
obliged to make a retrogade motion ; and to return 
to Wilmington, situated two hundred miles from 
the scene of action. He was even under tlie ne- 
cessity of abandoning a considerable number of 
those who were dangerously wounded. The loss 
of the Americans was about four hundred, killed 
and v/ounded. 

Some time after the battle of Guilford, general 
Greene determined to return to South Carolina, to 
endeavour to expel the British from that state. — 
His first object was to attempt the reduction of 
Camden, where lord Raw^don was posted with 
about nine hundred men. The strength of this 
place, which was covered on the south and east 
side by a river and creek; and to the westward and 
north ward, by six redoubts; rendered it impracti- 
cable to carry it by storm, with the small army 
general Greene had, consisting of about seven hun- 
dred continentals, the militia having gone home. 
He, therefore, encamped at about a mile from the 
tiown, in order to prevent supplies from being 
brought in. and to take advantages of such favour- 
ahle circumstances as miglit occur. 



GREENE. 195 

Lord Rawclon*s vsituation was extremely deli- 
cate. Colonel Watson, whom he had some time 
before detached, for the protection of the eastern 
frontiers, and to whom he had, on intelligence of 
general Greeners intentions, sent orders to return 
to Camden, was so eifectually watched by general 
Marion, that it was impossible for him to obey. 
His lordship's supplies were, moreover, very pre- 
carious; and slmuld general Greene's reinforce- 
iiients arrive, he miglit be so closely invested, a^ 
to be at length obliged to surrender. In this di- 
lemma, the best expedient that suggested itself, 
was a bold attack; for which purpose, he armed 
every person with him capable of carrying a mus- 
ket, not exceptir.g his musicians and dnnnmcrs. 
He sallied out on the 25tij of April, and attacked 
general Greene in his camp. The defence was 
obstinate; and for some part of the engagement the 
a^Jvantage appeared to be in favour of America. 
Lieutenant colonel Washington, who commanded 
the cavahy, ha.d at one time not less than two hun- 
dred British prisoners. Hov\ ever, by the miscon- 
duct of one of the American regiments, victory was 
snatched from general Greene, who v, as compelled 
to retreat. He lost in tlic action about two hun- 
dred kiiicd, wounded, and prisoners. Rawdon 
lost about tv* o hundred and fifty eight. 

There was a great similarity between the conse- 
quences of the affair at Guilford, and those of this 
action. In the former, lord Cornwallis was suc- 
cessful ; but was afterwards obliged to retreat two 
hundred miles from tlie scene of action, and for a 
time abandoned the grand object of penetrating to 
the northward. In the latter, lord Rawdon had 
the honour of the field; but was shortly after reduc- 
ed to the necessity of abandoning his post, and 
leaving behind him a number of sick and wounded. 

The evacuation of Camden, with the vigilance 
of general Greene, and the several officers he em - 



196 GREENE. 

ployed, gave a new coniplexioii to afUurs in South 
Carolina, where tlie British ascendancy declined 
more rapidly than it had been established: The 
numerous forts, garrisoned by the enemy, fell, one 
after the other, into the ha]ids of the Americans. 
Orangeburg, Motte, Watson, Georgetown, Gran- 
by, and others, fort Ninety-Six excepted, were sur- 
rendered; and a very considerable number of pri- 
soners of war, witii military stores and artillery, 
were found in them. 

On tlie 22d May, general Greene sat down be- 
fore Ninety- Six, witli the main part of his little 
army. The siege \n as carried on for a considera- 
ble time with great spirit; and the place was de- 
fended witii equal bravery. At length, the works 
were so far reduced, tliat a surrender must have 
been made in a few days, when a reinforcement of 
three regiments, from Eui'ope, arrived at Charles- 
1;. .' ' ': enabled lord Rawdon to proceed to re- 
r. ^iiiportant post. The superiority of the 

enciiu'rf force reduced general Greene to tlie alter- 
native of abandoning the siege altogether, or, pi*e- 
vious to their arrival, of attempting the fort by 
storm. The latter was more agreeable to his en- 
terprising spirit : and an attack was made, on the 
morning of the 19th of June. He was repnlsed, 
with the loss of one hundred and fifty men. He 
raised the siege, and retreated over the Saluda. 

Dr. Ramsay, speaking of the state of affaii^s 
about this period, says, ''truly distressing was 
the situation of the Amcrici)n army: wlien in the 
grasp of victory, to be obliged to expose tiiemseives 
to a hazar*!ous assault, and after\A ards to abandon 
a siege. When they were nearly masters of the 
whole country, to be compelled to retreat to its ex- 
treu:ity; and after subduing the greatest part of the 
for( e sent against them, to be un«;er the necessity 
of encountering still greater reinforcements, when 
\]mv remote situation precluued them from the 



GREENE, 197 

hope of receiving a single recruit. In this gioomy 
situation, there w ere not wanting persons who ad- 
vised general Greene to leave the state, and retire 
with liis remaining forces to Virginia. To argu- 
ments and suggestions of this kind he nobly replied, 
*I will recover the country, or die in the attempt,' 
This distinguished othcer, whose genius was mosi: 
vigorous in those extremities, when feeble minds 
abandon themselves to despair, adopted the only 
resource now left him, of avoiding an engagement^ 
until the British force should be divided." 

Some skirmishes, of no great moment, took place 
between the detached parties of both armies in July 
and August. September tlie 9th, general Greene 
having assembled about two thousand men, pro- 
ceeded to attack the British, ^^ho, under the com- 
mand of colonel Stewart, vrere posted at Eutaw 
Springs. The American force was drawn up in 
two lines: the first, composed of Carolina militia^ 
was commanded by generals Marion and PickenSj 
and colonel de Malmedy. The second, which con- 
sisted of continental troops, from North Carolina^, 
Virginia, and Maryland, was commanded by gen- 
eral Sumpter, lieutenant colonel Campbell, and co- 
lonel Williams: lieutenant colonel Lee, v/ith his le- 
gion, covered the right flank; and lieutenant colo- 
nel Henderson, with the state troops, covered tlie 
left. A corps de reserve ^vas formed of the caval- 
ry, under lieutenant colonel Washington, and the 
Delaware troops under captain Kirkw ood. As tlie 
Americans came forward to the attack, they fell in 
with some advanced parties of tlie enemy, at about 
two or three miles a head of the main body. These 
being closely pursued, were driven back, and the 
action soon beca^me general. The militia were at 
length forced to give way, but v, ere bravely sup- 
ported by the second line. In the hottest part of 
the engagement, general Greene f«rdere(l the Mary- 
land and Virginia continentals, to ciijirge with 
R 2 



198 GREENE. 

trailed arms. This decided the fate of the day. 
•^Nothing," says Dr. Ramsay, '^could surpass the 
intrepidity of both officers and men on this occa- 
sion. They rushed on in good order througli a 
heavy cannonade, and a shower of musquetry, \vith 
siH h unshaken resolution, that they bore down all 
before them." The British were broken, closely 
pursued, and upwards of five hundred of them taken 
prisoners. They, however, made a fresli stand, in 
a favourable position, in impenetrable shrubs and 
a picquetted garden. Lieutenant colonel Wash- 
ington, after having made every effort to dislodge 
them, was wounded and taken prisoner. Four six 
ponnders were brought forward to play upon tiiem, 
bui they fell into their hands^ and the esideavours 
to drive tliem from their station, being found im- 
practicable, the Americans retired, leaving a very 
strong picquet on the field of battle. Their loss 
v» as about five hundred; that of the British upwards 
of eleven hundred. 

General Greene was honoured by coiigress with 
a Bi'itish standard, and a gold medals, emblemati- 
cal of the engagement, *^ for his wise, decisive, and 
magnanimous conduct, in the action at Eutaw 
Springs, in which, with a force inferior in number 
to that of the enemy, he obtained a most signal 
victory »" 

In the evening of the succeeding day, colonel 
Stewart abandoned hio post, and retreated towards 
Charleston, leading behind upwards of seventy of 
his wounded, r.nd a thousand stand of arms. He 
was pursued a ( onsiderable distance, but in vain. 

The battle of Eutaw produced most signal con- 
sequences in favour of America. The British, 
who had for suc'i) a length of time loided it abso- 
lutely in South Carolina, were, shortly after that 
event, obliged to confine themselves in Charleston, 
whence they never ventured hut to make preda- 
tory excursions, with bodies of cavalry, which in 



GREENE. 199 

general, met with a very warm and vepy unwel- 
come reception. 

In Dr. Caldwell's memoirs of tlie life of general 
Greene, we have the following interesting story, 
as connected with the severe conflict at Euta^v 
Springs: 

**Two young officers, bearing the same rank, 
met in personal combat. The American, perceiv- 
ing that the Briton had a decided superiority, in 
the use of tlie sabre, and being himself of great 
activity, and personal strength, almost gigantic, 
closed witli his adversary and made him his pri- 
soner. 

* ^Gentlemanly, generous, and Iiigh minded, this 
event, added to a personal resemblance which tliey 
were observed to bear to eacli otiier, produced be- 
tween these two youthful w arriors, an intimacy, 
which, increased in a short time, to a mutual at- 
tachment. 

*'Not long after tlie action, the American officer 
returning home, on fiirlougli, to settle some private 
business, obtained permission for his fi'iend to ac- 
company him. 

* 'Travelling without attendants or guard, they 
were both armed and well mountcil. Fart of their 
route lay through a settlement highly disaffected 
to the American cause. 

••When in tiie midst of this, having, inconse- 
quence of a shower of rain, thrown around them 
their cloaks, which concealed their uniforms, they 
were suddenly encountered by a detachment of to- 
ries. 

'•'The young American, determined to die rather 
than become a prisoner, especially to men whom 
he held in abhorrence for disloyalty to their cour^- 
try, and the generous Briton resolved not to sur- 
vive one by whom he had been distinguished and 
treated so kindly, they both together, with great 
spirit and self possession, charged the royalists, 



200 GREENE. 

having fust made signals in their rear, as if di- 
recting others to follow thein; and tlius» without 
injury on eit]jer side, had the address and good 
fortune to put the party to lliglit. 

"Arriving in safety at tluir place of destination, 
what was tlieir surprise and augmented satisfac- 
tion, on finding, from some questions ]n'oposed by 
the American oih( cr's father, that they were first 
cousins! 

**With increasing deliglit, tlic young Briton pas- 
sed several ^\eeks in the family of his kinsman, 
where the wilier of tlris narrative saw him daily, 
and often listeneti, with the rapture of a child, to 
the checkered story of his military adventures. 

•^'To lieigliten the orrurrcnce. and render it 
more romantic, tlie American oflicer had a sister, 
beautiful and accomplished, wliose heart soon felt 
for the gallant straiiger. more than the affection 
due to a cousin. The attacliment was mutual. 

^•But here the adventure assumes a tragical cast. 
The youthful foreigner, being exchanged, was sum- 
moned to return to his regiment. The message 
was fatal to his pea.ce. But military honour de- 
manded the sacrifice? and tl«e lady, generous and 
high minded as himself, would not be instrumentai 
In dimming his laurels. 

**T]Ee parting scene was a high-wrouglit picture 
of tenderness and sorrow. On taking leave, the 
parties mutually bound themselves, by a solemn 
promise, to remain single a certain number of 
years, in the hope that an arrangement contempla- 
ted might again bring them together. A few weeks 
afterwards the lady expired under an attack of 
small pox. The fate the officer we never learnf 
It has already been mentioned that Greene's ar- 
my w^as in a deplorable situation, and suffered un- 
der every privation. In his letters to the Secreta- 
ry at war, he says, **We have three hundred men 
without arms, and more than one thousand so 



GREENE. 2ai 

naked, that they can be put on duty only in cases 
of a desperate nature. We have been all winter 
in V. ant of arms and clothing. The subsistence of 
the army is wretched, and we are without rum or 
any kind of spirits." 

Again, he says, ^^Our difficulties are so nume- 
rous, and our wants so pressing, tJtat I have not a 
moment's relief from the most painful anxieties. 
I have more embarrassment than it is proper to 
disclose to the world. Let it suffice to say that 
this part of the United States has had a narrow 
escape. Ihave been seven months in the field without 
faking' off my clothes/' 

Judge Johnson, in liis life of general Greene, says 
^^At the battle of the Eutaw Springs, Greene 
says, 'that hundreds of my men were as naked as 
they were born.' Posterity will scarcely believe, 
that the bare loins of many brave men who carried 
death into the enemy's ranks, at the Eutaw, were 
galled by their cartouch-boxes, while a folded rag 
or a tuft of moss protected the shoulders from sus- 
taining tlie same injury from tlie musket. Men of 
other times w ill enquire, by what magic was this 
army kept together? By what supernatural power 
was it made to fight?*' 

During the relaxation that followed, a dange- 
rous plot was formed by some turbulent and muti- 
nous persons in the army, to deliver up their brave 
general to the British. This treasonable design 
owed its rise to the hardships, wants and calami- 
ties of the soldiers, who were ill paid, ill clothed, 
and ill fed. The conspirators did not exceed 
twelve in number; and a providential discovery 
defeated the project. 

The surrender of lord Cornw^allis, whose enter- 
prising spirit had been by the British ministry ex- 
pected to repair tlie losses, and wipe away the dis- 
grace, whicii had been incurred through the inacti- 
vity and indolence of other generals, having con- 



tlO^ GREENE. 

vincecl tliem of tlie impracticability of subjugating 
America, tliey discontinued offensive operations 
in eveiy quarter. From the beginning of tlie year 
1782, it was currently i-eported that Charleston 
was speedily to be evacuated: it was oilicially an- 
nounced the 7th of August; but it did not take 
place until the 17t!i of December. 

The happy period at length arrived, wlien, by 
the virtue and bravery of her sons, aided by the 
bounty of heaven, America compelled lier invaders 
to recognise Iicr independence. Then her armies 
quitted the tented fields, and retired to cultivate 
the arts of peace and happiness. Amongst the 
rest, general Greene, revisited his native country? 
where he proved himself as valuable a citizen, as 
the Carolinas had witnessed him a gallant ofiicer. 

We have mentioned Judge Johnson's life of gen- 
eral Greene. This \\ork is in two volumes quar- 
to, and gives a particular account of tlie transac- 
tions, and indeed of the campaigns, &c. of the 
war in the southern states, by William Johnson, 
Esq. of South Carolina, and one of the judges of 
the Supreme Court of the United States. At the 
conclusion of the work he makes tlic follo\\ing 
just remarks, which we copy with much pleasure, 
particularly for our scliooi edition: 

"AYe Vvill now dismiss the reader with these re- 
marks. To the young and the lowly, the incidents 
of general Greene\s life, hold out a most valuable 
moral. They shov> , witli certainty, that there is 
no condition which may not be improved by vir- 
tue and perseverance: that the acquirement of 
knowledge leads directly to eminence; and, that 
the most persevering labour is not inconsistent 
with the improvement of the mind, ^hen the mind 
is steadily bent upon its own improvement. And 
let no discouraging inferences be drawn from the 
perse( utions which lie underwent from envy and 
detraction, Tliey will fasten on eminence; and to 



GREENE. £03 

quote the general's own language, ^^ every one but 
an idiot will have enemies" These are amoiig 
the trials incident to human life; and they will at- 
tack those most severely, who raise themselves 
from obscurity. Men cannot bear mortifying 
comparisons; and, therefore, envy those most, who 
have risen from among themselves. But. it is a 
most consoling evidence that truth will never be 
^abandoned; that after such a lapse of time, we find 
the fame of this greiit and good man, vindicated by 
the production of evidence which cannot be resist- 
ed. The plain inference is, that we do our duty, 
and trust to Providence for the rest. 

'' To ally we will take tiic liberty to suggest an- 
other remark. It is related of general Wasjiing- 
ton, that after the defeat of Braddock, an eminent 
divine declared from the pulpit, ' that Heaven had 
preserved that young man for some great and wise 
purposes.' 

' [f we contemplate the early events of general 
Greene's life, we perceive in them, a striking apt- 
ness of preparation for the part he w as destined to 
act in the revoiutiouary contest. Subdued, but 
not broken down under parental authority, he 
learned obedience and discipline, and how to in- 
foi'ce it on others; hut, a!)ove all, self-command. 
Cast on himself for the gratification of every v^ish 
of his heart, [le learned that great lesson of self- 
dependence, which he had, so often afterwards, to 
])ring into exercise. With nerves strung to labour, 
he w as prepared for all t!ie fatigues and hardsliips 
of war; and habits of temperance taught him to 
bear, and by his example, to teach otliers to bear, 
all privations of wai*. Yet. all this preparation 
was casual, and less tlian all things, intended to 
ut him for a military life! 

^•Nor was his moral and religious education 
less adapted to tlie part lie was to act on the thea- 
tre of the revolution. The religion of the Quakers. 



5K)4 GREENE. 

stripped of those tenets wliicli unfit it for this neth- 
er world, is really the political religion of the 
United States. Universal benevolence, and (in- 
bounded toleration, were their favourite doctrines. 
He still continued a Quaker, as far tlie religion of 
the Quakers comported with the defence of civil 
liberty: and thus blended the soldier, with all that 
stern morality, and simplicity of character, whicli 
distinguish the sect he belonged to." 

In October, 1785, general Greene sailed to 
Georgia, where he had a considerable estate, not 
far distant from Savannah. Here lie passed away 
his time, occupied in his domestic concerns, until 
the hour of his mortality approached. 

Walking out, without liis hat, in the afternoon 
©f the 15th of June, 1786, the day being intensely 
liot, he was suddenly attacked with sucli a vertigo 
and prostration of strength, as to be unable to re- 
turn to liis house, without assistance. Tiie affec- 
tion was what is denominated a "stroke of the 
sun." It was succeeded by fever, accompanied 
with stupor, delirium, and a disordered stomach. 
All efforts to su-hdue it proved fruitless, and it car- 
ried him oil' on the 1 9th of tlie same month. 

Wlien the melancholy account of his deatfi arriv- 
ed at Savannah, the people were struck with the 
deepest sorrow. All business was suspended. — 
The shops and stores thi'oughout the town were 
shut; and the sliipping in tlic harbour liad tlieir 
colours ]ialf-maste(l. 

The body was brought to Savannah, and in- 
terred on the SOtli. The funeral procession v, as 
attended by the Cincinnati, militia, &c. cScc. 

Immediately after the interment of the corpse, 
the members of the Cincinnati retired to tlie colfee- 
Iiouse in Savannah, and came to the following res- 
olution: 

^*That, as a token of the high respect and ven- 
eration in Vvliicli this society hold the memory of 



HAMILTON. 2«i 

'licir la\(3 illustrious brother, major-general 
Greene, deceased, George WiisJiington Greene^ 
his eldest son, be admitted a member of this soci- 
ety, to take his seU on his arriving at the age of 
18 years." 

General Greene left behind him a wife and five 
children. 

051 Tuesday the 12th of August, 1786, the Uni- 
ted States in congress assembled, came to the fol- 
lowing resolution: 

'•That a monument he erected to tlie memory 
of Nathaniel Greene, Esq. at the seat of the fed- 
eral government, with the following inscriptloiT 
Sacred to tlic memorv of 
NATHANIEL GREENE, Esq, 

Who de])arted this life. 
On the 19th of June, mdccixxxvi . 

LATE MAJOR GENERAL 

In the service of the United States, 
And commander of tlieir army 
In the southern department. 
The United States, in Congress assem.Medj 
In honor of his 
Patriotism, valour, and ability, 
Have erected this monument. 
HAMILTON, Alexander, first secretary oi 
he treasury of the United States, was a native of 
he island of St Croix, and was horn in 1757.— 
"lis father was the younger son of an Englisli fam- 
ily , and his mother was an American. At the age 
,1 sixteen, he accompanied his mother to New- 
York, and entered a student of Columbia college^ 
:\\ v.hich he continu.ed about three years. While a 
member of this iiirjtitution, the first buddings of his 
intellect gave presages of his fu.ture eminence. — ■ 
riic contest witli Great Britain called forth the 
"irst talents on each. side„ and his juvenile pen as- 
serted the claims of the colonies agahist very res- 
)ectable writers. His papers exhibited such cvK 

R 



^Oo HAMILTON. 

dencc of intellect and >vistlom, that ilicy were iis- 
eribed to Mr. Jay, and wlien the truth Avas dis- 
covered, America saw with astonishment a lad ot* 
seventeen in the list of lier able advocates. At tlie 
age of eighteen, he entered tlie American army as 
an ofticcr of artillery.^ The first sound of war 
awakened his martial spirit, and as a soldier he 
soon conciliated the regard of Iiis brethren in arms. 
It was not long before he attracted the notice of 
Washington, who, in 1777, selected him as an aid 
with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. His sound 
understanding, comprehensive views, application 
and promptitude, soon gained him tlie entire con- 
ildence of his patron. In such a scliool it was im- 
possible but that his genius should be nourislied. 
By intercourse with Washington, by surveying his 
plans, observing his consummate prudence, and by 
a minute inspection of the springs of national ope- 
rations, he became fitted for command. Through- 
out the campaign, which terminated in the cap- 
ture of Cornwallis, colonel Hamilton commanded 
a battalion of light infantry. At the siege of York 
in 1781, when the second parallel was opened, two 
redoubts, whicli flanked it, and were advanced 300 
yards in front of the British works, very much an- 
noyed the men in the trenches. It v, as resolved 
to possess tliem, and to prevent jealousies the at- 
tack of the one was committed to the Americans, 
and of the otlier to the French. The detachment 
of the Americans, was commanded by tlie marquis 
de la Fayette; and colonel Hamilton, at his own 
earnest request, led the advanced corps, consisting 
of two battalions. Towards the close of the day, 
on the 14th of October, the troops rushed to the 
charge without firing a single gun. The works 
were assaulted with irresistible impetuosity, and 
'Carried with but little loss. Eiglit of the enemy 
fell in the action: but notwithstanding the irrita- 
tion lately produced by the infamous slaughter in 



HAMILTOjS. 20? 

fori Gi'iswoid, not a man was killed who ceased to 
resist. 

Soon after the capture of Cornwallis, Hamilton 
.sheathed his sword, and being encumbered with a 
family, and destitute of funds, at the age of twen- 
ty-five applied to the study of the law. In this 
profession he soon rose to distinction. But his 
private pursuits could not detach him from regard 
to the public welfare. The violence which was 
meditated against the property and persons of all 
who remained in the city during the war, called 
Ibrth his generous exertions, and, by the aid of 
governor Clinton, the faithless and revengeful 
scheme was defeated. In a few years a more im- 
portant affair demanded his talents. After wit- 
nessing the debility of the confederation, he was 
fully impressed with the necessity of an efficient 
general government, and he was appointed in 1787, 
a member of the federal convention of New York. 
"He assisted in forming the constitution of our 
country. It did r^ot indeed completely meet his 
wishes. He was afraid tliat it did not contain 
sufticicnf means of strength for its own preserva- 
tion, and that, in consequence, v/e should share 
the fate of many other republics, and pass through 
anarchy to despotism. He was in favour of a 
more permanent executive and senate. He Avish- 
ed for a strong government, which w^ould not be 
shaken by the conflict of different interests through 
an extensive territory, and which should be ade- 
quate to all the forms of national exigency. 

By his pen in the papers signed Fublius, and 
by his voice in the convention of New York, he 
contributed much to its adoption. When the gov- 
ernment was organized in 1789, Washington pla- 
ced him at the head of the treasury. In the new 
demands, which were now made upon his talents, 
the resources of his mind did not fail him. In his 
i-eports. he proposed plans for funding the debt of 



^08 HAMILTON. 

the union, and for assuming the debts of the res- 
pective states; for establishing a bank and mint; 
and for procuring a revenue. He wished to rc- 
tjeem the reputation of liis country by satisfying 
licr creditors, and to combine with the government 
such a monied interest, as might facilitate its ope- 
rations. 

He remained hut a short time afterwai'ds in of- 
fice. As his property had been wasted in the pub- 
lic service, the care of a rising family made it liis 
duty to retire, that by renewed exertions in his 
profession, he might provide for their support. — 
He accordingly resigned his office on the last of 
January, 1795. 

When the provisional army was raised in 1798, 
Washington qualified his acceptance of the com - 
5nand of it, with the condition that Hamilton should 
be iiis associate and tlie second in command. This 
arrangement w-as accordingly made. 

Invested with the rank of inspector general^ 
Hamilton repaired immediately to his post, and 
commenced the organization and discipline of his 
cirmy. These he cariied in a short time to high 
l>criection, ti»e materials of his command being ex- 
cellent in quality. His liours of leisure lie devot- 
ed, with his usual industry, to the study of chem- 
istry, mathematics, and the art of war. In the 
two latter his attainments became great. To ren- 
der hira conspicuous among the ablest captains of 
the w orld, nothing was now wanting but experi- 
ence in the field. 

After the adjustment of our dispute witii the 
Frencii Republic, and the discharge of the army, 
he returned again to his profession in tlie city of 
'New York. 

In June, 1804, colonel Burr, vice-president of 
the United States, addressed a letter to general 
Hamilton, requiring his acknow ledgment or denial 
6f the use of any expression derogatory to the bon- 



HAMILTON. ^09 

our of the former. This demand was deemed in- 
admissible, and a duel was the consequence. Af- 
ter the close of the circuit court, the parties met 
at Hobokeii, on the morning of Wednesday, July 
the nth, and Hamilton fell on the same spot, 
where his son a few years before had fallen, in 
ohedience to the same principle of honour, and in 
the same violation of the laws of God, and of man. 
He was carried into the city, and being desirous of 
receiving the sacrament of the Lord's supper, he 
immediately sent for the reverend Dr. Mason. As 
the principles of his church prohibited him from 
administering the ordinance in priv ate, this minis- 
ter of the gospel informed general Hamilton, that 
the sacrament was an exhibition and pledge of the 
mercies, which the Son of God has purchased, and 
that the absence of the sign did not exclude from 
the mercies signified, which were accessible to him 
by faith in their gracious Author. He replied, *^I 
am aware of that. It is only as a sign that I want- 
ed it." In tlie conversation which ensued, he dis- 
avowed all i?itention of taking the life of colonel 
Burr, and declared his abhorrence of the whole 
a'ansaction. When the sin, of which he had been 
guilty, was intimated to him, he assented with 
strong emotion; and v»hen the infinite merit of thfe 
Redeemer, as the propitiation for sin, the sole 
ground of our acceptance with God, was suggest- 
ed, he said with emphasis, *'J/mTe a tender reli-^ 
ance on the mercy of the Almighty, through the 
merits of the Lord Jesus Christ." The reverend 
bishop Moore was afterwards sent for, and after 
making suitable inquiries of the penitence and 
faith of general Hamilton, and receiving his assu- 
rance that he would never again, if restored to 
health, be engaged in a similar transaction, but 
would employ all his influence in society to dis- 
eountenanrf the barbarous custom, administered 
to him the communion. After this his mind ^y/t^i 
S ^ 



2iij HAMILTON. 

€Oiripose(l. Mq expired about 2 o'clock on Thups- 
day, July 12, 1804, age«l about 47 years. 

Gcnrriil Hamiltoii j)o.ssessed very uncommon 
powers of mind. To v. hatever subject lie direct- 
ed Ids attention, be was able to grasp it; and in 
whatever be engaged, in that be excelled. So stu- 
pendous were his talents, and so patient was bis 
industry, that no bivestigation presented difficul- 
ties, which be could not coiujuer. In the class of 
men of intellect, he held the first rank. His elo- 
quence was of the most interesting kind, and when 
new^ exertions were required, he rose in new 
strength, and touching at his pleasure every string 
of pity or of terror, of indignation or grief, be 
bent the passions of others to bis purpose. At 
{•be bar he gaijied the first eminence. 

The versatility of his pow crs w as as wonderful 
as tlieir sti'cngth. To the transaction of all mat- 
ters that were ever submitted to him, he showed 
himself competent; on every point of difliculty and 
moment, be was qualified to become great. What 
others learnt by experience, he saw by intuition; 
what they achieved by persevering labour, lie could 
accomplish by a single exertion. Hence tiie di- 
versified erfiinence of his attainments, and tlie sur- 
prising rapidity w ith which he i*cndered himself 
master, not only of new^ and intricate points, but 
even of entire branches of science. 

Within thespliere of our own knowledge, or in 
the records of society, it is usual to find individ- 
uals who are highly distinguisiied in particular 
walks: in the foium, the senate, the cabinet, or the 
fielu; but a single character pre-eminent in them 
all. constitutes a itrodigy of human greatness. Yet 
such a cliaracter was the jiersonage we are con- 
sidering. He combined within himself qualities 
ih'dt would have communicated lustj'e to many. 
At the bar, bis ability and eloquence were at once 
ihe delight and astonishment of his country; as a 



HAMILTON. 211 

statesman, his powers were transcendant and his 
resources inexhaustible: as a financier, he was ac- 
knowledged to be without a rival; in his talents for 
war, he v>'as believed to be infeiior to Washington 
alone. To these we may add, that in his qualifi- 
cations as a writer he was eminently great. En- 
dowments so brilliant, with attainments so wide, 
multifarious and lofty, have but rarely fallen to 
the portion of a mortal. 

Yet with these he had none of the eccentricities, 
irregularities, or vices, that oftentimes follow in 
the train of greatness. His mind and his habits 
were in a liigh degree orderly, temperate and me- 
thodical. To his powers alone, stupendous as 
they were, he never committed tlie perforsnance of 
liis duty, on any occasion of interest and impor- 
tance. Preparatory to acting he bestowed on his 
subject all tlie attention that would have been re- 
quisite in a man of common abilities. He studied 
it patiently till lie tiioroughly comprehended it. 
Hence, even in tlie minutest details, he wa,s never 
found deficient when he was expected to be prepa- 
red. To his moral habits, therefore, no less than 
to his physical powers, lie owed it, in part, that he 
was consummately great. 

With all his pre-eminence of talents, and amia- 
ble as he was in private life, general Hamilton is 
yet a melancholy proof of the influence, which in- 
• tercourse with a depraved world luis in perverting 
the judgment. In principle he was opposed to 
duelling, his conscience was not liardened, and he 
was not indifferent to the happiness of his w ife and 
children; but no consideration was strong enough 
to prevent him from exposing his life in single 
combat. His own views of usefulness were fol- 
lowed in contrariety to the injunctions of his Ma- 
ker and Judge. He had been for some time con- 
vinced of the truth of Christianity, and it was his 
intention, if his life had been spared, to hav'i 
written a work upon its evidences* 



212 HANCOCK, 

General Hamilton possessed many friends, and^ 
he was endeared to them, for he was gentle, ten- 
der, and benevolent. Wliile he ^^ as great in the 
eyes of the world, familiarity with liim only in- 
creased the regard in which he was held. In his 
person he was small, and short in stature. He 
married a daughter of general Schuyler, and left 
an afflicted widow and a number of children to 
mourn his loss. 

**Such was Hamilton: the soldier of tlic revolu- 
tion; the confidant of Washington; the founder of 
the American system of finance: the enlightened 
statesman; the great counsellor: tbc eloquent ora- 
toi*; and the man of probity tried and spotless. 
He retired poor from an office, which, w ithout pec- 
ulation or any act that would have amounted to a 
brea( h of trust, migiit ha^ e rendered him as dis- 
tinguished for wealth, as he v»as for the higher 
riches of his mind. His faults; for being human 
he had faults; are lost amidst his virtues, excused, 
or forgotten." 

HANCOCK, JoHX, a distinguished patriot and 
friend of his country, w as born in the year 1737, 
in tlie province of Massachusetts. Tlie habitation 
of bis fathei'j wliich is represented as the precise 
pku e of liis nativity, w as situated near the village 
of Quincy, and by the ordinary transitions of 
property in America, is now annexed to the pat- 
rimony of John Adams, former president of the 
United States. In this neighbourliood were boi n 
and died, for many generations, the ancestors of 
the illustrious Samuel Adams. He graduated at 
Harvard college in 1754. On the death of his 
imcle Thomas Hancock, Esquire, he received a 
very considerable fortune, aiid soon became an 
eminent m.erchant. He was, for several years, se- 
lectman of the town; and in 1766, he was chosen 
a member of the house of representatives for Bos- 
ion. He there blazed a whig of the first mngnl 



HANCOCK. £1S 

tude. Otis, Ciishing, and Samuel Adams, were 
the other three, who represented the capital, men 
of name in the revolution of tlieir country. Being 
fond of public notice, he was flattered by the ap- 
probation of the people, with their marks of con- 
fidence, and tlie distinction he had in the general 
court. Tiie political sagacity of Adams, the pub- 
lic spirit and patriotic zeal of Hancock, gave a 
lustre to the Boston seat. Of these two popular 
leaders, the manners and appearance were in di- 
rect opposition, notwithstanding the conformity 
of their political principles, and their equal devo- 
tion to the liberties and independence of their 
country; and this dissimilarity tended, no doubt? 
to aggravate tlie passions and animosities of their 
adherents. Mr. Adams Avas poor, and in his 
dress and manners, simple and unadorned. Han- 
cock, on the other hand, was numbered with the 
richest individuals of his country. His equipage 
w as splendid and magnificent; and sucli as at pre- 
f5ent is unknown in America. His apparel, was 
sumptuously embroidered with gold and silver and 
lace, and all the other decorations fashionable 
amongst men of fortune of that day; he rode, es- 
pecially upon public occasions, with six bea-utiful 
baySj and with servants in livery. He was grace- 
ful and prepossessing in manners, and very pas- 
sionately addicted to what are called the elegant 
pleasures of life, to dancing, music, concerts, 
routs, assemblies, card parties, rich wines, social 
dinners and festi^ ities: all which tlie stern repub- 
lican virtues of Mr. Adams regarded with indif- 
ference, if not with contempt. 

On tlie evening of the 5th of March, 1770, a 
small party of the British soldiers paraded, and 
being assailed by a tumultory assemblage of the 
people, with balls of snow and other weapons, 
fired upon them by the order of their officer, to 
disperse them. Upon which occasion severj^l of 



214 HANCOCK. 

the crowd were woniideil and a lew wvia killed- 
Tliis aftray is usually termed '* the massacre <A 
Boston. " 

It was ill coinmemoratioii oi this event, Mi*. 
Hancock delivered an oration, in 3 774, from 
which we extract the following: 

^*I have always, from my earliest youth, I'c- 
joiced in the felicity of my fellow-men, and havs 
ever considered it as the indispensahlc duty of 
every memher of society to promote, as far as in 
liim lies, the piosperity of every individual, hut 
more especially ol' the community to which he hc- 
longs; and also, as a faithful-suhject of the state, 
to use his utmost endeavours to detect, and having 
detected, strenuously to oppose every traitoi-ous 
plot which its enemies may devise for its destruc- 
tion. Security to the persons and properties of 
the go^ erncd, is so ohviously the design and end of 
civil government, tliat to attempt a logical proof 
of it, would be like burning tapers at noonday, to 
assist the sun in enlightening the world; and it 
cannot be virtuous or honourable, to attempt to 
support a government, of which this is not the 
great and principal basis; and it is to the last de- 
gree vicious and infiimous to attempt to support a 
government, ^^]lich manifestly ten(!s to render the 
persons and properties of tlic go^ erncd insecure. 
Some boast of hoiug friends to gorernmcnt; I am a 
friend to righteous government, to a government 
founded upon the principles of reason and justice; 
but I glory in publicly avowing my eternal enmi- 
ty to tyranny. Is the present system, \\hich tlic 
British administration have adopted for the gov- 
ernment of the colonics, a righteous governmeutr 
or is it tyranny? Here suffer me to ask (and 
would to Heaven there could be an answer) what 
tenderness, what regard, respect or consideration, 
has Great Britain shewn, in their late transact 
lions, for the security of the persons or properties 



HANCOCK. S15 

«f tlie iiiliabitants of the colonics? or rather, what 
have they omitted doing to destroy that security? 
Tliey liave declared that they have ever had, and 
of right ought ever to liave, full power to make 
laws of sufficient validity, to bind the colonics in 
all cases whatever: they have exercised this pre- 
tended right by imposing a tax upon us without 
our consent; and lest we should shew some reluc- 
tance at parting with our propert}', her fleets and 
armies are sent to inforcc their mad pretensions. 
The town of Boston, ever faithful to the British 
crown, lias been invested by a British fleet: the 
troops of George tlie III. have crossed the wide 
Atlantic, not to engage an enemy, but to assist a 
band of traitors in trampling on the rights and li- 
berties of his most loyal subjects in America; 
those rights and liberties which, as a father, he 
ought ever to regard, and as a king, he is bound, 
in lionor, to defend from violations, even at the 
risk of his own life. 

"But I forbear, and come reluctantly to the 
transactions of that dismal night, when in such 
fjuick succession we felt the extremes of grief, as- 
tonishment and rage; when Heaven, in anger, 
for a dreadful moment, suffered hell to take the 
reins; wlicn Satan, with his chosen band, opened 
ilie sluices of New England's blood, and sacrile- 
giously polluted our land with the dead bodies of 
lier guiltless sons. Let this sad tale of death never 
be told without a tear: let not the heaving bosom 
cease to burn with manly indignation at the bar- 
barous story, tlirougli the long tracts of future 
time: let every parent tell the shameful story to 
his listening children till tears of pity glisten in 
their eyes, and boiling passions shake their tender 
frames; and whilst the anniversary of that ill-fated 
night is kept a jubilee in tlic grim court of pan- 
d?emo)uum. let all America join in one common 
prayer to Heaven, tliat the inhuman unprovoked 



5216 HANCOCK. 

murders of the fifth of March, 1770, planned b^ 
Hillsborough, and a knot of treacherous knaves 
in Boston, and executed by the cruel hand of Pres- 
ton and liis sanguinary coadjutors, may ever stand 
on history without a parallel. But wliat, my 
countrymen, witlihcld the ready arm of vengeance 
from executing instant Justice on the vile assas- 
sins? Perhaps you feared promiscuous carnage 
might ensue, and that the inno( ent miglit share 
the fate of those who had performed the infernal 
deed. But were not all guilty? where you not too 
tender of the lives of those who came to fix a yoke 
on your necks ^ but I must not too severely blame 
a fault, whicli great souls only can commit. May 
that magnificence of spirit whicli scorns the low 
pursuits of malice, may tbat generous compassion 
wliich often preserves from ruin, even a guilty 
villain, forever actuate the noble bosoms of Amer- 
icans! But let not the miscreant liost vainly ima- 
gine that we feared tlieir arms. No; them wc 
despised; we dread nothing but slavery. Deatli is 
the creature of a poltroon's brains; 'tis immortal- 
ity to sacrifice ourselves for the salvation of our 
<:ountry. We fear not death. That gloomy night? 
the pale faced moon, and the afirighted stars that 
hurried througli iha sky, can witness that wc fear 
not death. Our hearts, which, at the recollection, 
glow witli rage that four revolving years have 
scarcely taught us to restrain, can witness that 
we fear not death; and. happy it is for those who 
dared to insult us, tluit tlieir naked hones are not 
now piled up an everlasting monument of Massa- 
chusetts' bravery. But they retired, .they fled, 
and in that flight they found their only safety. 
We then expected tliat the hand of public justice 
would soon inflict that punishment upon the mur- 
derers, which, by the huvs of God and man, they 
had incurred. 

"^Patriotism is ever united witii humanity aiid 



Hancock:. sn 

compassion. This noble affection which impels 
us to sacrifice every thing dear, even life itself, to 
our countiy, involves in it a common sympathy 
and tenderness for every citizen, and must ever 
liave a particular feeling for one who suffers in a 
public cause. Thoroughly persuaded of this, I 
need not add a word to engage your compassion 
and bounty towards a fellow-citizen, who with 
long protracted anguish, falls a victim to the re- 
lentless rage of our common enemies. 

^^Ye dark designing knaves, ye murderers, par- 
risides! how dare you tread upon the earth, which 
has drank in the blood of slaughtered innoceiits, 
shed by your wicked hands? how dare you breathe 
that air which wafted to the ear of heaven, tiie 
groans of those who fell a sacrifice to your ac- 
cursed ambition? but if the labouring earth doth 
not expand Iier jaws; if the air you breathe is 
not commissioned to be the minister of death; 
yet, hear it, and tremble! the eye of He.iven 
penetrates the darkest chambers of the soul, 
traces the leading clue through all tlie labyrinths 
Avhich your industrious folly has devised; and you, 
however you may have screened yourselves from 
human eyes, must be arraigned, must life your 
hands, red with the blood of tliose v\ hose death you 
have procured, at the tremendous bar of God. 

'*But I gladly quit the gloomy theme of dcath^ 
and leave you to improve the thought of tiiat im- 
portantjday, wlien our naked souls must stand before 
that being, from whom nothing can be iiid. 1 would 
3iot dwell too long upon the horrid effects which 
liave alre?{ly foUovscd from quaitering regular 
h'oops in this to\\u: let our misfortunes teach pos- 
rvity to guard against stich evils for the future. 

*'Lct us be ready to take the field wlicuevcr dan- 

•2;cr calls; let us be united and strcngthc;} thchandf; 

')f each other, by promoting a general union among 

;?s. Much has l><'Pf) f^'j':" b'v- Vac rommittecs of 

T 



i^lS HANCOCK. 

coiTespondeuce, for the liouscs of assembly, in tliib 
•and our sister colonies, for uniting the inhabitants 
of the ^Yllole continent, for the security of their com- 
mon interest. May success ever attend their gen- 
erous endeavours. But permit me here to suggest 
a general congress of deputies, from the several 
liouses of assembly, on the continent^ as tlie most 
effectual method of establishing such an union, as 
the present posture of our affairs require. At 
such a congress a firm foundation may be laid for 
the security of our riglits and liberties; 2f system 
may be formed for our common safety, by a strict 
•adherance to which, we shall be able to frustrate 
any attempts to overthrow our constitution; it- 
store peace and harmony to America, and secure 
'honor and wealth to Great Britain, even against 
the inclinations of her ministers, whose duty it is 
to study her welfare; and we shall also free our- 
selves from tliose unmannerly pillagers who impu- 
dently tell us, that they are licensed by an act of 
the British parliament, to thrust their dirty hands 
into the pockets of every American. But, I trust, 
the happy time will come, wiien, with the besom of 
destruction, those noxious vermin will be swept 
forever from the streets of Boston. 

"Surely you never will tamely suffer this' country 
to be a den of thieves. Remember, my friends, 
from whom you sprang. Let not a meanness of 
spirit, unknown to those whom you boast of as 
your fathers, excite a thought to the dishonour of 
your mothers. I conjure you by all tliat is dear, 
by all that is honourable, by all that is sacred, not 
only that ye pray, but that you act; that, if ne- 
cessary, ye fight, and even die, for the prosperity 
of our Jerusalem. Break in sunder, with noble 
disdain, the bonds with which the Philistines have 
bound you. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed 
by the soft arts of luxury and effeminacy, into the 
oit digged for your destruction. Despise the gU.n 



HANCOCK. 219 

ot' wealth. That people who pay greater respect to 
a wealthy viilaia, than to an honest upright man in 
poverty, almost deserve to he enslaved; they plain- 
ly shew that wealth, however it may he acquired.. 
is, in their esteem, to be preferred to virtue. 
• "'But I thank God, that America ahounds in 
men who arc superior to all temptation, whom 
nothing can divert from a steady pursuit of the in- 
terest of their country; who are at once its orna- 
ment and safe-guard. And sure i am, I should not 
incur your displeasure, if I paid a respect so just- 
ly duG to their much honoured charar-'^rs in this 
place; hut, vdicn I name an Ada^i- -.:-'; a nume- 
rous liost of fellow patriots rash upon my mind, 
that I fear it would take up too much of your time 
should I attempt to call over tlie illustrious roll: 
but your grateful hearts will point you to the men; 
and tlieir revered names, in all succeeding times, 
shall grace the annals of America. From them, let 
lis, my friends, take example: from them, let us catch 
the divine enthusiasm; and feel, each for himself, 
the god-like pleasure of diffusing happiness on all 
around us; of delivering the oppressed from the 
iron grasp of tyranny; of changing the Iioarse 
complaints and bitter moans of wretched slaves, 
into those cheerful songs, which freedom and con- 
tentment must inspire. There is a heart-felt sa- 
tisfaction in reflecting on our exertions for the pub- 
lic weal, which all the sufferings an enraged ty-- 
rant can inflict, will never take away; which the 
ingratitude anil reproaches of those whom we liave 
saved from ruin, cannot rob us of. The virtuous 
asserter of the rights of mankind, merits a rc» 
ward, which even a want of success in his endea- 
vours to save his country, the heaviest misfortune 
which can befal a genuine patriot, cannot entirely 
prevent him from receiving, 

*» I have the most animating confidence that the 
present noble stinjggle for liberty, will terminate 



2£^ HANCOCK. 

gloriously for America. And let us play the man 
for our Goii, and for the cities of our God: ^vliile 
Me are using the means in our power, let us hum- 
bly commit our righteous cause to the great Lord 
of the universe, wlio loveth righteousness and ha- 
tcth iniquity. And having secured the approba- 
tion of our hearts, by a faithful and unwearied 
discharge of our duty to our country, letusjoy- 
j'ujiy leave our concerns in the hands of llim ^vho 
raiseth up andputteth down the empires and king- 
doms of the world as lie pleases; and with cheer- 
ful submission to his sovereign will, devoutly say, 

*' Mthough the Jig tree shall not blossom, neither 
shall fruit be in the vines; the labonr of the olive 
shall faiU (i^id the field shall ijielcl no meat; the 
flock shall be cut off from the fold; and there shall 
be no herd in the stalls; yet we will rejoice in the 
Lordj 7ve xvilljoyin the God of our salration,^' 

The battle of Lexington now^ raraounced the 
commencement of the revolutioiiary wai*. To gain 
possession of the persons of Hancock and Adams, 
wlio lodged togetlicr in that village, was one of the 
motives, it is said, of the expedition which led to 
tliat memorable conflict. The design, tliough 
covci'ed with gi'eat secrecy, was anticipated, and 
the victims escaped, upon the entrance of their ha- 
bitation by the Eritisli troops. Thus, by the feli- 
citous iritei'vcntion of a moment, were rescued 
from a virulent enemy, and perhaps from the exe- 
cutioner, those w!k) were to contribute by their 
fjiture virtues, to the revolution of empires, and to 
be handed down to posterity as the benefactors of 
mankind. 

The defeat of the English in this battle was fol- 
low ed by the governors proclamation declaring 
the province in a state of rebellion; offering, at the 
same time, pardon to all whose penitence should re- 
commend tliem to tkis act of grace, w ith the excep- 
tion of those notorious offenders, Samuel Adams 



HANCOCK. 221 

diitl John Hancock. These, by the enormity of 
their guilt, which was declared too flagitious for 
impunity, were reserved to propitiate the ferocity 
of the royal vengeance. But this signal and glo- 
rious denunciation, less the effect of good policy, 
than of passion, advanced these popular chiefs 
npon tlie lists of fame; they were every where 
hailed with Increased acclamations and applauses, 
and not only by their illustrious merits, but by the 
dangers to wltich they were exposed, were endear- 
ed to the aflections of their countrymen. 

Hancock, in October, 1774, was unanimously 
elected president of the provincial congress of 
Massachusetts. In 1775. he attained the me- 
ridian of his political distinction, and the highest 
honour that the confidence or the esteem of his 
compatriots could bestow upon him: being made 
president of tfie continental congress. By his long 
experience in business, as moderator of the town 
meetings, president and speaker of the provincial 
assemblies and conventions, during times of great 
turliulence and commotion, in his native state, he 
was eminently qualified, as well as by his natural 
dignity of manners, to preside in this great coun» 
eilof the nation. 

That there were, in this assembly, personages 
of a superior age to that of Mr. Hancock, and 
men. at the same time, of pre-eminent virtues and 
talents, will not be denied; who required at least 
some indications of deference from a generous 
mind, in reverence of their merits. It was, be- 
sides, an occasion upon which calmness and com- 
posure had been little commendable: and upon 
which indifference, or a haughty and supercilious 
confidence had been criminal in him who was 
crowned with the principal honours. For rarely 
in the vicissitudes of nations, has it happened that 
interests more sacred have been confided to the in- 
Jirmity of human wisdom or integrity; and that ^, 
T2- * 



2:22 HANCOCK. 

spectarle more imposing has been exhibited to hu- 
man observation^ 

In 1776, July 4th, his name appears as presi- 
dent of the congress which declared the colonies 
independent of the crown of Great Britain, The 
name (jf the president alone was published with the 
declaration though every member signed it. It 
was a mark of respect due to Massachusetts, to 
have one of their members in tlie chair, which had 
been filled by a member from South Cai'olira and 
Virginia. Mr. Hancock had those talents which 
were calculated to make him appear to more ad- 
vantage as chairman, than in the debates of a pub- 
lic body. He excelled as moderator of tlie Boston 
town-meetii]gs, as president of the provincial con- 
gress, and state convention; and, as head of the 
great council of our nation, he was much respect- 
ed. He discovei'ed a fine address, great imparti- 
ality, sufficient spirit to command attention, and 
preserve order. His voice and manner were much 
in his favour, and his experience in public business^ 
gave him ease and dignity. 

In 1779, Mr. Hancock resigned his place ia 
congress. He was chosen a member of the con- 
vention that formed the constitution of Massachu- 
setts. 

From 1780 to 1785, Mr. Hancock was annually 
chosen governor of the commonwealth of Massa- 
chusetts. He declined being a candidate for the 
office the ensuing year, and was succeeded by the 
honourable James Bowdoin, Esq. During the 
administration of Mr. Bowdoin, there was an in- 
surrection in the state, which was happily quelled. 
Every thing was done in the most judicious man- 
ner, by the governor and the legislature, yet a part 
of the connnunity appeared to be discontented witli 
the administration, and in the year 1787, Mr. 
Eancock was again placed in the chair. 

His conduct in the state convention during the 



^ . HANCOCK, 22S 

discussion of it, gained him honour. Tiie opposi- 
tion to this excellent form of government was 
great. It; was said that the majority of the con- 
vention would he against the adoption; and that 
the governor was with the opposers. He was cho- 
sen president of the convention, hut did not attend 
the debates till the latter week of the s^ession, — 
Certain amendments were proposed to remove the 
objections of those, who thought some ot* the arti- 
cles deprived the people of their rights. He in- 
troduced these amendments with great propriety, 
and voted for the adoption of the constitution. 
His name and influence doubtless turned many in 
favour of tlie federal govcrtiment. 

The latter years of his administration were easy 
to him, on account of tlie public tranquility. The 
federal government became tlie source of so much 
prosperity, that the people were easy and happy. 
The two patriots. Hancock and Adams, were re- 
conciled. When lieutenant governor Cushing died, 
general Lincoln was chosen as liis successor, — 
This gave great offence to Mr. Adams, and it was 
very disagreeable to the governor. They joined 
their strength to support the same measures, as 
well as renewed their friendship. The next year 
Lincoln was left out of oftlce, and Mr. Adams 
chosen lieutenant governor. This gentleman suc- 
ceeded Mr. Hancock, as governor of the common- 
wealth, after his death. Me died October 8, 1793c 

The death of such a man was interesting to the 
people at large. The procession at his funeral 
was very great. Doctor Thacher preached his 
funeral sermon the next sabbath. He was very 
friendly to the clergy of all denominations, and 
did a great deal to promote the cause of learning 
as well as religion. The library of Harvard Col- 
lege will give an exhibition of Iiis munificence; for 
the name of Hancock, in golden letters, now adoruj^ 
one of the alcoves of the library room, and is upo^i 



224 HAWLEY. 

the records of the university among lier greatcsc 
benefartors. 

Mr. Hancock ^vas promoted to eycry olllcc 
Xn1hc]i a man fond of public life could expect or 
desire. His mannei-s ^\ ere pleasing. He >vas po- 
lite, affable, easy, and condescending^ and. wl»at 
\\ as greatly in his favour, did not appear lifted up 
with pride. Such an elevation to prosperous cir- 
cumstances would make some men giddy, and 
cause others to despise their neiglibour, poorer 
than themselves. 

The editor will again refer to, and give an ex- 
irart from, the oration vS Richard Rush, Es(>. de- 
livered at the city of Washington, July 4, 1812, 
He said, ^'during the siege of Boston, general 
Washington consulted congress upon the proprie- 
ty of bombarding the town. Mr^ Hancock was 
then president of congress. After general Wash- 
ington's letter was read, a solemn silence ensued. 
This was broken by a member making a motion 
that the house should resolve itself into a commit- 
tee of the whole, in order that Mr. Hancock might 
give his opinion upon the subject, as he was so 
deeply interested from having all his estate in 
Boston. After he left tiie chair, he addressed the 
chairman of the committee of the whole, in the 
following words: *It is true, sir, nearly all the 
property I have in the world, is in houses and 
other real estate in the town of Boston: but if tlio 
expulsion of the British army from it, and the lib- 
erties of our country require th.eir being burnt to 
ashes, issne the orders for that purpose hnme- 
diatelyJ' 

HAWLEY, Joseph, distinguished as a states- 
man and patriot, was born in Northampton, Mas- 
sachusetts, in 1724, and was graduated in Yale 
college in 1742, Soon after finishing his collegia! 
education he engaged in tlje study and the pi-ac- 
tice of the law in his native town. In this scieiKie 



HAWLEY. mo 

he became a great proficient, and was one of 
the most distinguished counsellors in the province. 
Among his other studies, he attained to such an 
eminence of knowledge in political history, and 
the principles of free government, that, dur- 
ing the disputes between Great Britain and the 
colonies, he was regarded as one of the ablest ad- 
vocates of American liberty. His integrity, both 
in public and in private life, was inflexible, and 
was not even questioned by his political opponents. 
He was repeatedly elected a member of the con n- 
eil, but refused in every instance to accept the of- 
fice, as he preferred a seat in the house of repre- 
sentatives, where his character for disinterested 
patriotism, and his bold and manly eloquence gave 
him an ascendency, which has seldom been equal- 
led. 

In 1776, he, together with Samuel Adams and 
John Hancock, were elected members of the legis- 
lature. He acquired great influence in the public 
councils. Tlie ascendancy whicli v» as allotted to 
him by the deference of others, was a fortunate 
circumstance for his country. Never was influ- 
ence exercised with more intelligent, devoted and 
inflexible patriotism. He made up his mind ear- 
lier than most men, that the struggle against op- 
pression would lead to war, and that our rights at 
last must be secured by our arms. As the crisis 
approached, when some persons urged upon him 
the danger of a contest, so apparently unequal, liis 
answer was, "We must put to sea. Providence will 
bring us into port." 

From a correspondence between Mr. John 
Adams, late president of the United States, and 
William Wirt^ Esq. of Virginia, the biographer 
of Patrick Henry, it would seem that the declara- 
tion '^TVe mustJighW which Mr. Wirt had claim- 
ed for Ml-. Henry, w as derived from a letter which 
lie himself had shown to Mr. Henry, written by 



126' HAAYLEY. 

major Hawley, in 1774. Mr. Adams, in a letter 
to Mr. Wirt, dated Quincv, January 23, 1818, 
3ays, *• When congress liad finished their hiisiness, 
as they thought, in the autumn of 1774, I had, with 
Mr. Henry, before \\e took leave of each other, 
some familiar conversation, in which I expressed 
a full conviction that our resolves, declaration of 
rights, enumeration of wrongs, petitions, remon- 
strances and addresses, associations, and non-im- 
portation agreements, however they might be ex- 
pected in ximerica. and however necessary to ce- 
ment the union of the colonies, would he hut w aste 
water in England. Mr. Henry said they might 
make some impression among the people of Eng- 
iand, hut agreed with me that they would be totally 
lost upon the government. I had just received a 
short and hasty letter, vvritten tome by major Jo- 
seph Hawley, of Northampton, containing a few 
•broken hints,' as he called them, of what he 
thought was proper to be done, and concluding^ 
with these words, *after all wb must tight.' 
Tills letter I read to Mr. Henry, who listened with 
great attention, and soon as I liad pronounced the 
words, *after all we must fight,' he raised liishead, 
and, with an energy and vehemence that I never can 
forget, broke out with ^Bij — — lam of that maifs 
mind.' I put the letter into his hand, and when 
he had read it he returned it to me, with an equal- 
ly solemn asseveration, that he agreed entirely in 
opinion with the writer. I considered this as a 
sacred oath, upon a very great occasion, and could 
have sworn it as religiously as he did, and by no 
means inconsistent with what you say, in some 
part of your book, that he never took the Sacred 
Name in vain." 

In 1819, president Adams communicated the 
^*broken hints," alluded to in the foregoing, to H. 
Niles, Esfj. which are inserted at length in Mr. 
Niles's valuable work, entitled, "Principles and 



HAWLEY. 227 

Acts of the lie volution in America:'^ a workwliicli 
ought to he in thclihrary of every man who vene- 
rates the principles and the men of '76. We here 
insert an extract from the "'broken hints." 

^* We nwiHt fight, if we can't otherwise rid our- 
selves of British taxation, all revenues, and the 
constitution or form of government enacted for us 
by the British parliament. It is evil against 
right; utterly intolerable to every man who has 
any idea or feeling of right or liberty. 

'• It is easy to demonstrate that the regulation act 
will soon annihilate every thing of value in the 
charter, introduce perfect despotism, and render 
the house of representatives a mere form and min- 
isterial esigine. 

*^ It is now or never, that we must assert our li- 
berty. Twenty years will make the number of 
tories on this continent equal to the number of 
whigs. They who shall be born will not have any 
idea of a free government. 

'' It will necessarily be a question, whether the 
new government of this province shall be suffered 
to take place at all; or whether it shall be imme- 
diately withstood and resisted ? 

^* A most important question this; I humbly con- 
♦ eive it not best forcibly or wholly to resist it ini- 
•iiediately. 

*' There is not heat enough yet for battle. Con- 
stant, and a sort of negative resistance of govern- 
ment, will increase the heat and blow the hre. — 
There is not military skill enough. That is im- 
proving, and must be encouraged and improved^ 
but will daily increase. 

^' Fight we must, finally, unless Britain retreats. 

'* But it is of infinite consequence that victory 

}c the end and issue of hostilities. If we get to 

fighting before necessary dispositions are made for 

it, we shall be conquer'ed. and all will be lost ior- 



G28 IIAWLEY. 

^*0iu' salvation depends upon an established 
persevering miion of the colonies. 

**The tools of administration arc using every 
device and effort to destroy that union, and they 
will certainly continue so to do. 

^* Thereupon, all possible devices and endea- 
vours must be used to establish, improve, brighten, 
and maintain such union. 

'^ Every grievance of any one colony must be 
held and considered by the whole as a grievance 
to the whole, and must operate on the whole as a 
grievance to the whole. This will be a difficult 
matter to effect: but it must be done. 

^* Quere, tlicrefore; whether is it not absolutely 
necessary that some plan be settled for a continua- 
tion of congresses? But here we must be aware 
that congresses will soon be declared and enacted 
))y pai'liament, to be higli treason. 

**Is the India company to be compensated or not? 

*^rf to be compensated — each colony to pay the 
particular damage she has done, oris an average to 
be made on the continent? 

**The destruction of the tea was not unjust; 
therefore, to what good purpose is the tea to be 
paid for, unless we are assured that, by so doing, 
our rights will be restored and peace obtained : 

** What future measures is the continent to pre- 
serve with regard to importccl dutied tea, ^Nhethei- 
it comes a,s East India properly or otherwise, un- 
der the pretence and lie tiiat the tea is imported 
jrom Holland, and the goods impoi'ted before a cer- 
tain given day? Dutied tea will be imported and 
consumed; goods contiiuie to be imported: your 
non-importation agreement eluded, rendered con- 
temptible and ridiculous,' unless all teas used, and 
all goods, are taken into some public custody 
which will be inviolably faithful/* 

Major Hawley did not appear in the legislature 
after the year 1776. but be never relaxed his zeal 



HAWLEY. 229 

hi tlie service of liis country, aiul was ready to con- 
tribute his efforts to the public service. By his 
private exertions, he rendered assistance at some 
very critical and discouraging periods. At the 
season when the prospects of the American army 
were the most ghiomy, when the Jerseys were 
overrun, and the feelings of many v.ere on the 
verge of despondency, he exerted himself with 
great activity and success, to ralJy the spirits of 
his fellow-citizens. At this tim«, when apatljy 
appeared stealing upon the country, and the peo- 
ple were reluctant to march, on a seemingly des- 
perate enterprise, he addressed a body of militia 
to urge them to volunteer as recruits. His man- 
ly eloquence, his powerful appeals to their pride, 
their patriotism, their duty, to every thing which 
they held dear and sacred, awakened their dor- 
mant feelings, and excited them to enthusiasm. 

Major Rawley wfis a sincerely religious and 
pious man, but here, as in politics, he loathed all 
tyranny and fanatical usurpation. In tlie latter 
part of 1776, he was afflicted with hypocliondria- 
cal disorders, to Vvhich he had been frerfuently sub- 
ject in former periods of his life; and after this de- 
clined public business. He died, March 10, 1788^ 
^ged 64 years. 

Major Ha vv ley was a patriot witiiout personal 
mimosities, an orator without vanity, a lawyer 
without chicanery, and a gentleman without'os- 
ten.tation; ii statesman v/ithout doplicity, and a 
cliristian without bigotry. As a man of command- 
ing talents, Iiis firm renunciation and self-deiual 
of all ambitious views, v/ould ha^'^e secured him 
that respect which such strength of mind inevita- 
t>ly inspires; while his voluntai:^ and zealous de- 
votion to the service of Ids countrymen, estab- 
lished him in their affection. His uprightness and 
plainness, united to ills affability and disintcrest- 
-^dne«s, gave the most extensive infliienee to Ins 
U 



23ij HENRY. 

ojjinions, and in a period of doubt, divisions imd 
danger, men souglit relief from their perplexities 
in his authority, and suffered their course to be 
guided by him, wlien they distrusted their own 
judgments, or the counsels of others. He, in fine, 
formed one of those manly, public spirited, and 
gencroiis citizens, ready to share peril and decline 
reward, who illustrate the idea of a commonweal tli, 
and who, tlirough the obstructions of human pas- 
sions and infirmities, being of rare occurrence, 
Avill always be the most admired, appropriate, and 
noble ornaments of a free goAernment. 

HENRY, Patrick, governor of Virginia, and 
a most eloquent and distinguished orator, took an 
early and active part in support of the riglits of 
his country, against the tyranny of Great Bri- 
tain. He was born at Studley, in the county of 
Hanover, and state of Virginia, on the 29th May, 
1736. He descended from respectable Scotch 
ancestry, in the paternal line; and his mother was 
a native of tiie county in which he was born. On 
the maternal side, at least, he seems to have des- 
cended from a rhetorical race. 

Her brother William, the father of the present 
judge Winston, is said to have been highly endow- 
«sd with that peculiar cast of eloquence, for which 
Mr. Henry became, afterwards, so justly celebrat- 
ed. Of this gentleman I have an anecdote from a 
correspondent, which I shall give in his own words. 
*I have often heard my father, who was intimately 
acquainted with this William Winston, say, that 
he was the greatest orator whom he cxev heard, 
l^atrick Henry excepted ; that during the last 
I'rencli and Indian war, and soon after Braddock's 
defeat, when tlie militia were marched to the fron- 
tiers of Virginia, against the enemy, this William 
Winston was the lieutenant of a company; that the 
;men, who were indifferently clothed, without tents, 
and exposed to the rigour and inclemency of the. 



HENRY. :^5i 

vveauiei, discovered great aversion to the service, 
and were anxious and even clamorous to return to 
their families; when this William Winston, mount- 
ing a stump, (the common rostrum of the field ora- 
tor in Virginia,) addressed them with sucli keen- 
ness of invective, and declaimed with sucii force 
of eloquence, on liberty and patriotism, that when 
he concluded, the general cry was, 'let us march 
on- lead iis against the enemy;' and they were now^ 
willing, nay anxious to encounter all those diffi- 
culties and dangers, which, but a few moments be- 
fore, had almost prG:Uiced a mutiny.' 

In childhood and youth Patrick Henry, whose 
name renders titles superfluous, gave no presages 
of his future greatness. He learned to read and 
write, reluctantlv; made some small progress in 
aritiimetic; acquired a superficial knowledge of 
the Latin language; and made a considerable pro- 
ficiency in tbe mathematics, the only branch of ed- 
ucation for which he discovered, in his youth, Uic 
slightest predilection. T!ie vvhole soul of his 
youtii was bound up in the sports of the field. His 
idleness was absolutely incurable: and, of cours;5^ 
he proved a truant lad, who could sit all day on a 
bridge, waiting for a good bite, or even, * one glo- 
rious nibble.' The unliappy effects of this idle- 
ness were lasting as his life; and the biographer 
very properly cautions his youthful readers against 
following this bad example. 

From what has been already stated, it will be 
seen, how little education had to do with tlie for- 
mation of this great man's mind. He was, in- 
deed, a mere child of nature, and nature seems to 
have been too proud and too jealous of her work, 
to permit it to be touched by the hand of art. Slie 
gave him Shakspeare's genius, and bade him, like 
Shakspeare, to depend on that alone. Let not the 
youtjiful reader, however, deduce, from tlie exam- 
ple of Mr. Henry, an argument in favour of indo- 



:iS2 HENRY. 

lence and tlic contempt of study. Let liim remem- 
ber tliat the powers Avhicli surmounted tlic disad- 
vantage of those early liabits, were such as very 
rarely appear upon this earth. Let him remem- 
ber, too, how long tlic genius, even of Mr. Henry^ 
was kept down and liidden from the public view^ 
by the sorcery of those pernicious habrts; through 
wi^at years of poverty and Avrctchedness they 
doomed him to struggle; and, let him remember^ 
iliat, at length, when in the zenith of his glory, 
Mr. Henry, Iiimself, had frequent occasions to de- 
plore the consequences of his early neglect of lit- 
erature, and to bewail * tlie ghosts of his departed 
hours.' 

At the age of fifteen years, young Henry Avas 
placed behind tlie counter of a merchant in the 
country: and at sixteen liis fatlier set him up in 
trade, in partnership with his brother William. 
Tiirougli laziness, tlie love of music, the charms of 
the chase, and a readiness to irust every one, the 
firm v» as soon reduced to bankru])tcy. The only 
advantage which resulted from his short rontinu- 
ftnce in mercantile business was an oppportunity 
to study human chai'acters. 

At eighteen Mr. Henry married the daughter of 
an honest fainner, and undertook to cultivate a 
few acres for himself. His only delights, at this 
time, were those which flow from tlie endearing 
relations of conjugal life. His want of agricultu- 
ral skill, and his unconquerable aversion to every 
species of systematic labour, terminated his career 
IS V. planter, in the short space of two years. — 
4 gain he had recourse to merchandise, and again 
failed in business. Every atom of his property 
was now gone, his friends were unable to assist 
him any further: he had tried every means of sup- 
port, of which he tliought himself capable, and 
every one had failed; ruin was behind him: pover- 
ty, debt, want, and famme before; and as if his 



HENRY. 2SS 

cup of misery were not already fall enough, liere 
was a suffering wife and children to make it over- 
flow. Still he had a cheerful temper, and liis pas- 
sion was music, dancing, and pleasantry. Ahout 
this time he became fond of geography and histor- 
ical works generally. Livy was his favourite; 
and Livy, in some measure, awakened the dor- 
mant powers of his genius. As a last effort, he de- 
termined, of his own accord, to make a trial of the 
law. He, however, disliked the professional bus- 
iness of an attorney at law, and he seems to have 
hoped for nothing more from the profession than a 
scanty subsisteuce for himself and his family, and 
his preparation was suited to these humble expec- 
tations for, to the study of a profession, which is 
said to require the lucubrations of twenty years, 
Mr Henry devoted not more than six weeks. On 
examination, he was licensed, rather through cour- 
tesy, and some expectation that he would study, 
than from any conviction which his examiners had 
of his present competence. At the age of four and 
twenty lie was admitted to the bar; and for three 
years occupied the back ground: during which pe- 
riod the wants and distressess of his family were 
extreme; and he performed the duty of an assist- 
ant to his father-in-law in a tavern. 

In 1764. he pursued his favourite amusement of 
hunting, witli extreme ardour: and has been known 
to hunt deer, frequently for several days together, 
carrying his provisions with him, and at night en- 
camping in tlie woods. 

After the hunt was over, he w^ould go from the 
ground to Louisa court, clad in a coarse cloth coat 
stained with all the trophies of the chase, greasy 
leather breeches ornamented in the same way, leg- 
gings for boots, and a pair of saddle-bags on 
hi^> arm. Thus accoutred, he would enter the 
eo;;t't-house, take up the first of his causes thai 
"hanced to be called; and if there was any scope - 
U 9. 



2S4 HEiSRY. 

for liis peculiar talent, throw his adversaiT into 
the back ground, and astonish both coiirt and jury 
by the powerful effusions of his natural eloquence, 
in the same year he was introduced to the gay 
and fashionable circle at Williamsburg, then the 
seat of government for the state, that he miglit be 
counsel in case of a contested election: but he made 
no preparation for pleaoing; and, as we might 
naturally suppose, none for appearing in a suita- 
ble costume. He moved awkwardly about in liis 
coarse and threadbare dress: and while some 
thouglit him a prodigy, others concluded Iiim to be 
an ideot: nevertheless, before the committee of 
elections, he delivered an argument which judge 
Tyler, judge Winston, and otiiers, pronounced the 
best they ever heard. In the same year, it is as- 
serted on the authority of Mr. Jefferson, that Mr, 
Benry gave the first impulse to the ball of the re- 
volution. He originated the spirit of the revolu- 
tion in Virginia, unquestionably: and possessed a 
dauntless soul, exactly suited to the important 
work he was destined to perform. 

In the year 1765, he was a member of the as- 
sembly of Virginia. He introduced his celebrated 
i-esolutions against the stamp act, Vvhich breathed 
a spirit of liberty, and which had a tendency to 
rouse the people of that commonwealtli in favour 
of cur glorious revolution. 

After his deatli, there was found among his ])a- 
pers one sealed, and thus endorsed; '* Inclosed are 
the resolutions of the Virginia assembly, in 1765, 
concerning the stamp act. Let my executors open 
Ibis paper." Wiiiiin was found the following 
ro])y of the resolutions, in Mr. Henry's hand- 
wi'iting. 

**ResoIved, That the first adventurers and set- 
ilers of tliis, his majesty's colony and dominion, 
iirought with them and transmitted to their 
<[)osterity, and all other his majesty's subjects;, 



HENRY. 235 

since inhabiting in this, his majesty's said co- 
lony, all tlie privileges, franchises, and immu- 
nities, that have at any time been held, enjoyed, 
and possessed, by the people of Great Britain. 

*»Resolved, That by two royal charters, granted 
by king James the first, tlie colonists aforesaid, 
are declared entitled to all the privileges, liberties 
and immunities, of denizens and natural born sub- 
jects, to all intents and purposes, as if they had 
been abiding and born within the realm of Eng- 
land. 

**Resolved, That the taxation of the people by 
themselves, or by persons chosen by themselves to 
represent them, who can only know what taxes 
tlie people are able to bear, and the easiest mode 
of raising them, and are equally affected by such 
taxes themselves, is the distinguishing character^ 
istic of British freedom, and witliout which the an- 
cient constitution cannot subsist. 

"Resolved, That his majesty's liege people of 
this most ancient colony, have uninterruptedly en- 
joyed the right of being thus governed by tlieir 
own assembly, in tlie article of their taxes and in- 
ternal police, and that the same hath never been 
forfeited, or any other way given np, but hath 
been constantly recognized by the king and peo- 
ple of Great Britain. 

* 'Resolved, therefore, That the general assembly 
of this colony have tlie sole right and power to lay 
taxes and impositions upon the inhabitants of this 
colony; and that every attempt to vest such power 
in any person or persons whatsoever, other than 
tlie general assembly aforesaid, has a manifest 
tendency to destroy British as well as American 
freedom." 

**0n the back of the paper containing those re- 
solutions, is the following endorsement, which ts 
also in the hand-v/riting of Mr, Henry himself. 
'The within resolutions passed the house of burge?- 



2S6 HENRY. 

scs in May, 1765. They formed the first opposi- 
tion to tlie stamp act, and the scheme of taxing 
America by t!ie British parliament. x\ll the coU)- 
nies, either throut^li fear, or want of opportunity 
to form an opj)osition, or from influence of some 
kind or other, had remained silent. I had h.ecn. for 
the first time, elected a burgess, a few days before; 
was young, inexperienced, unacquainted Vvith the 
foims of the Imuse, and the members that compos- 
ed it. Finding the men of weight averse to o})po- 
sition, and the commencement of the tax at hand, 
and that no person was likely to step forth, I de- 
termined to ventiii'e. and alone, unadvised, and un- 
assisted, on a blank leaf of an old law book, wrote 
the within. Upon offcjing theni to the house, vio- 
lent debates ensued. Many threats were uttered, 
and much abuse cast on me, by the party for sub- 
mission- After a long and warm contest, the re- 
solutions passed by a very small majority, pei'haps 
of one or two only. Tlie alarm spread tliroughoul 
America with astonishing quickness, and tlie mini- 
sterial party were overwhelmed. The gi'cat point 
of iesistance to British taxation was uni>ers^lly 
cstahlished in the colonies. This brouc^ht or rhe 
war, which finally separated the two countries, 
and gave independence to ours. Whether this w ill 
prove a blessing or a curse, will depend upon the 
use our people make of the blessings which a gra- 
cious God hath bestowed on us. If they are wise, 
they will be gjeat and haj)py. if they are of a con- 
trary character, they will be miserable. Right- 
eousness alone can exalt them as a nation, 

^Reader! whoever thou art. remember this: and 
in thy sphere, practise virtue thyself, and encou- 
rage it in others. P. Henry.' 

Such is the short, plain, and modest account 
which Mr. Henry has left of this transaction. 

Every Ameri< an realized the truth expressed in 
Mr. Henry's resolutions; but no man beside liim 



HENRY. £-37 

self boldly dare to utter it. All wished for iiide- 
pendencc: and all hitherto trembled at the thought 
of asserting it. 

Mr. Wirt, in his life of Henry, from which we 
select this sketch, says, ^*the following is Mr. Jef- 
ferson's account of this transaction: 

^ 'Mr. Henry moved and Mr. Johnston seconded 
these resolutions successi\ ely. They were opposed 
by Messrs- Randolph, Bland, Pendleton, Wythe, 
and all the old members, w hose influence in the house 
had, till then, been unbroken. They did it, not 
from any question of our rights, hut on the ground 
that the same sentiments had been, at tlieir preced- 
ing session, expressed in a more conciliatory form, 
to which the answers were not yet received. But 
torrents of sublime eloquence from Henry, backed 
by the soli 1 reasoning of Johnson, prevailed.- — 
The last, liowever, and strongest resolution, was 
carried bat by a single vote. The debate on it vvas 
most blood}^ I was then but a student, and stood 
at the door of communication between the house 
and the lobby (for as yet t'lei^ was no gallery) 
dui-ing the whole debate and vote : and I well re- 
member that, after tiie numbers on the division 
w^ere told and declared from the chair, Peyton Ran- 
dolpli (the attorney general) came out at tlie door 
\N -sere I was standing, and said as he entered the 

lobby, 'by , I would have given 500 guineas 

for a single vote,' for one vote would have divided 
the house, and Robinson was in the chair, who he 
kiiew would have negatived the resolution. 

•'By these resolutions, and his manner of sup- 
prsrting them, Mr. Henry took the lead out of the 
hands of those who had theretofore guided the pro- 
cev'diugs of the house; that is to say, of Pendleton, 
W^ythe, Bland, Randolph." It was, indeed, the 
measure which raised liim to the zenith of his glo- 
ry. He had never before had a subject wiiich en- 
tirely matched his genius, and was capable of 



238 HENRY. 

drawing out till the powers of bis mind, it was 
remarked of liiiii tbrougliout his life, that his ta- 
lents never failed to rise ^^ith tlie occasion, and in 
proportion to the resistance which he had to en- 
counter. The nicet} of the vote on iiis last reso- 
lution, proves that tisis was not a time to hold in 
reserve any part of his forces. 

^*It was indeed, an alpine passage, under cir- 
cumstances even more nnpropitious tiian those of 
Hanihah for he had not onlv to fight, hand to ha,nd, 
the powerful party ^^lio \\ere already in posses- 
sion of the heights, hut at the same instant, to 
cheer and animate the timid band of followers^ 
that were trembling, fainting, and drawing back, 
below him. It a^ as an occasion that called upon 
him to put forth all his sti-ength, and he did put it 
forth, in such a manner, as man never did before. 
Ihe cords of argument with uhich his adversaries 
fre(|ue]{tly Jiattci'ed themselves they had bonnd him 
fast, he( jvme packthreads in his hands. He b^irst 
tin m with as nuicli ease, as th.e unshorn Sampson 
did the hands of the Philistines. Ke seized the 
pillars of the temple, shook them terribly, and 
seemed to threaten his o}t]>o]ients with ruin. It 
v.as an incessant storm of lightning and thunder, 
■vsliich struck them aghast. The faint-hearted 
gathered courage from his countenance, and cow- 
ai*ds became heroes, ^vhile they gazed upon his 
exploits. 

*'lt was in tlie midst of tiiis magnificent debate, 
wliile he was descanting on the tyianny of the ob- 
noxious act, that he exchiimed, in a voice of thun- 
der, and witli the look of a god, ^Ctesar had his 
Brutus — Charles the first, his Cromwell — and 
Geoi'ge the third' — (^Treason.' cried the speaker — 
^treason, treason,' eclioed from every jmrt of the 
house. It was one of those trying moments which 
is decisive of character. Henry faltered not for 
an instant; but rising to a loftier attitude, and fixing 



HENRY. 23y 

Oil the speaker ail eye of the most determineci fire, 
Jie finished his sentence with the firmest emphasis « 
Qiiay profit by their example. If this be treason, 
make the most of it."' 

In August, 1774, the Virginia Convention as- 
sembled in Williamsburg, and passed a series of 
resolutions, whereby they pledged themselves to 
make common cause with the people of Boston in 
every extremity. They a})pointed as deputies to 
Congress on the part of that colony, Peyton Ran- 
dolph, Richard H. Lee, George Washington, Rich- 
ard Bland, Patrick Henry, Benjamin Harrison, 
and Edmund Pendleton, who were deputed to at- 
tend the first meeting of the colonial congress. 

On the 4th September, 1774, that venerable body, 
the old continental congress of the United States, 
(towards whom every American heart will bow 
with pious homage, while the name of liberty shall 
be dear in our land) met for the first time at Car- 
penter's Hall, in the city of Philadelphia. Peyton 
Randolph, of Virginia, was chosen president, and 
the house was organized for busines, with all the 
solemnities of a regular legislature. 

The most eminent men of the various colonies 
were now, for the first time, brought together, — 
They were know n to each other by fame; but they 
were personally strangers. The meeting was aw- 
fully solemn. The object which had called tliem 
together was of incalculable magnitude. The li- 
berties of no less than three millions of people, 
with that of all their posterity, were staked on the 
wisdom and energy of their councils. No wonder, 
then, at the long and deep silence which is said to 
have followed upon tlieir organization; at the an- 
xiety with which the members looked around upon 
€ach other; and the reluctance wiiich every indivi- 
dual felt to open a business so fearfully njomentouSe 
In the midst of this deep and death -like silence, 
and just when it was beginning to become painfu?- 



540 HENRY. 

fully embarrassing, Mr Henry arose slowly as if 
borne down by the weight of the subject. After fal- 
tering, according to his habit, through a most im- 
pressive exordium, in whi(h he merely echoed 
back the consciousness of every other heart, in de- 
ploring his inability to do justice to the occasion* 
he launched, gradually, into a lecital of the colo 
nial wrongs. Rising, as he advanced, with the 
grandeur ofliis subject, and glowing at length with 
all tlie majesty and expectation of the occasion, his 
speech seemed more than that of mortal man. Even 
those who had heard him in all his glory, in the 
house of burgesses of Virginia, were astonished at 
the manner in which his talents seemed to sN\ell 
and expand themselves, to fill the vaster theatre in 
w hich he was now placed. There was no rant; no 
rh apsod y ; n (^ 1 ab our of th e ii n d erst an ding; no str ain- 
ing of the voice; no confusion of the utterance. — 
His countenance was erect; his eye steady; his ac- 
tion noble; his enunciation clear and firm; his mind 
poised on its centre; his views of his subject com- 
prehensive and great; and his imagination, cor- 
ruscating with a magnificence and a variety, which 
struck even that assembly with amazement and 
awe. He sat down amidst mui-mui's of astonish- 
ment and applause: and as he [tad been before pro- 
claimed the greatest orator of Virginia, he was 
now, on every hand, admitted to be the first ora- 
tor of America. 

'\VhenMr. Henry returned from tliis first con- 
gress to his constituents, he was asked ^ whom he 
tliougbt the greatest man in congress,' and replied, 
jf you speak of eloquence, Mr, Rutledge of South 
Carolina, is by far the greatest orator; but if yon 
speak of solid information and sound judgment, 
colonel Washington, is unqestionably, tlie greatest 
man on that floor'. 

In March, 177 5, Mr. Henry was a member of 
the convention of delegates from the se^ eral coun- 



HENRY. £41 

iies tuul corporations of Virginia, assemljled iii 
Richmond. In this body, while all the other lead- 
ing members were still disposed to pursue only 
milk-and-water measures^ he proposed resolutions 
for embodying, arming and disciplining such num- 
ber of men, as should be sufficient to defend the co- 
lony against the aggressions of the motlier couii- 
iTy. The resolutions were opposed as not onl} 
rash in policy, but as harsh and well nigh impious 
in point of feeling. Some of tiie warmest j)atriots 
r^r the convention opposed them. Bland, Har- 
i ison, Pendleton, &c. resisted them with all their 
influence and abilities. An ordinary man, in Mr. 
Henry's situation, v.ould have hQcn glad to com- 
pound with the displeasure of the house, by being 
permitted to withdraw his resolutions in silence. 

^•Not so, Mr. Henry. His was a spirit fitted to 
raise the whirlwind, as well as to ride in and di- 
rect it. His was that comprehensive view, that 
iinerring prescience, that perfect command over 
Hie actions of men, v^hich qualified him not mere- 
iy to guide, but almost to create the destinies of 
nations. 

*'He rose at this time with a majesty umisual to 
Jiim in an exordium, and with all that self-possessiou 
by which he was so invariably distinguished. *•' No 
man/' lie said, ^' t'lought moreliighly than he did 
of tlic patriotism, as well as abiiitics, of the Ycvy 
w orthy gentlemen who had just address^ed the house- 
But different men often sa\v tha same subject in 
different liglits; and, therefore, he hoped it won ht 
not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen, if^ 
entertaining as he did, Dpinions of a character very 
opposite to theirs, he should speak forth his senti- 
ments freely, and without reserve. This, he 
said, was no time for ceremony. The question 
before the house was one ef av/ful moment to this 
country. For his own part, he considered it a?? 
fiothing less tlian a question of frccflom or sla%'e.j'f. 



<-24^2 HENR\. 

And in proportion to tlic nvjgiiiiiidc ol' the .^ubjcci 
oiiglit to be tliC treedoni of the debute. It was only 
in this \vay that they could hope to arrive at truth, 
and fulfil the great revSponsibilit^' which they heUl to 
God and their country. Shoidd he keep back his 
opinions at such a time, through fear of giving of- 
Icnce, he sliouhlconsider himself as guilty of trea- 
son towards his country, and of an act of disloy- 
alty tov, ards the majesty of Heaven, which he re- 
vered above all earthly kings. 

^'T'^Ir. President," said he, *'it is natural to man 
to indulge in tlie illusions of hope. We are apt to 
shut our eyes against a painful truth; and listen to 
the song of that syren, till slie transforms us into 
beasts. Is this," he asked, HUe part of wise men, 
engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liber- 
ty ? Were we disposed to be of the number of tliose, 
who having eyes, sec not, and having ears, hear 
not, the things which so nearly concern their tem- 
poral salvation? For his part, whatever anguish 
of spirit it might cost, he was willing to know the 
whole truth; to know the worst; and to provide 
for it. 

^*He had," he said, ^*l)ut one lamp by which his 
i'eet were guided; and that v, as the lamp of expe- 
rience. He knew of no way of judging of the fu- 
ture but by the past. And judging by the past, 
he wished to know what there had been in the con- 
duct of the British ministry, for the last ten years, 
to justify those hopes with which gentlemen had 
been pleased to solace themselves and the house? 
Is it that insidious smile with whicli our petition 
has been lately received ? Trust it not, sir; it will 
prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves 
to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how 
this gracious reception of our petition comports 
with those warlike preparations which cover our 
waters and darken our land. Are fleets and ar- 
mi^^ necessary to a work of love and reconcilin- 



HENRY. 246 

uon? Have wc sliowii ourselves so unwilling to be 
reconciled, tliat force must be called in to wiiiback 
our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These 
are the imploinents of war and subjugation; the 
last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gen- 
tlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its 
purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gen- 
ilemen assign any other possible motive for it? — 
Has Great Britain any enemy in this quarter of 
tlie world? to call for all this accumulation of na- 
vies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They 
are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. 
They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those 
chains, which the British ministry Innc been so 
long forging. And what have wc to oppose to 
them? Shall wc try argument? Sir, we have been 
trying that for the last ten years. Have wc any 
thing new to offer upon the subject? Notliing. Wc 
have held the subject up in every light of w hich it 
is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we 
resort to entreaty and humble supplication? \Yhat 
terms slmll we find, which liave not been already 
exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive 
ourselves longer. Sir, we have done every thing 
that could be done, to avert the storm that is now 
coming on. We have petitioned; we have remon- 
strate{l; v>e have supplicated; we have prostrated 
ourselves before the throne, and have implored it« 
uiterposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the 
ministry and parliament. Our petitions have been 
slighted; our remonstrances have produced addi- 
tional violence and insult; our supplications have- 
been disregarded; and vve have been spurned, with 
contempt, from tiie foot of the tlironc. In vain, 
after these things, may we indulge the fond hope 
of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer 
any room for hope. If we wish to be free; if wc 
mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privi- 
ieges for which wc have been so long contending:; 



:IU HENRY; 

i^ we mean not basely to abandon the noble sti'ug- 
gle in which we have been so long engaged, and 
whicli we have pledged ourselves never to abandoxi 
until the glorious object of our contest shall be ob- 
tained; we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must 
fight!! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts 
is'^all that is left us! 

^<They tell us, sir,'* continued Mr. Henry, ^'that 
we are weak; unable to cope witli so formidable an 
adversary. Eut when shall we be stronger? Will 
it be the next week or the next year? Will it be 
when we are totally disarmed, and when a British 
guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we 
gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall 
we acquire the means of effectual resistance by 
lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the de- 
iusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall 
have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not 
weak, if v/c make a proper use of those means 
which the God of nature hath placed in our pow- 
er. Tiiree millions of people armed in the holy 
cause of liberty, and in such a country as that 
vvhich we possess, are invincible by any force 
which our enemy can send against us. Besides, 
iir*. v,e shall not" fight our battles alone. There 
"s a i? st God who presides over the destinies of na- 
:]> i:'-.: and who will raise up friends to fight our 
biitilcrf ibr us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong 
alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. 
15esides, sir, we have no election. If we were base 
enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire 
irom the contest. There is no retreat, but in sub- 
mission and slavery! Our chains are forged. — 
Their clanking may be heard on the plains of 
Boston! The war is inevitable; and let it come!! 
I repeat it, sir, let it come!!! 

^Tt is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. G^i- 
tlemcn may cry peace, peace; but there is no peace. 
Thev/aris actually begun! The next gale that 



HENRY. 245 

sweeps from tlie north, will bring to our ears the 
clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are alrea- 
dy in tlte field! Why stand we here idle? Wiiot is 
it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? 
Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be pur- 
chased at tlie price of cliains and slavery? Forbid 
it, Almighty God ! I know not what course others 
may take^ but as for nie." cried be, witb both liis 
amis extended aloft, liis brows knit, every feature 
marked with the resolute purpose of his soul, and 
his voice swelled to its boldest note of exclamation,. 
**give me liberty, or give me death!'* 

** He took his seat. No murmur of applause was 
heard. The eifect was too deep. After the trance 
of a moment, sevei'al members started from their 
seats. The cry, '^to arms." seen^ed to quiver on 
every lip, and gleam from every eye! Richard H. 
Lee arose and supported Mr. Henry, with liis usual 
spirit and elegance. But his melody was lost 
amidst the agitations of that ocean, which the 
master spirit of the storm had lifted up on high. 
That supernatural voice still sounded in their ears, 
iind shivered along their arteries. Tliey heard in 
every pause the cry of liberty or death. They be- 
came impatient of speech; their souls were on fire 
for action." 

The resolutions Vrcre adopted, and Patrick Hen- 
vy^ Richard H. Lee. Robert C. Nicholas, Benja- 
min Harrison, Lemuel Riddick, George Washing- 
ton, Adam Stevens, Andrew Lewis, Wm. Christ- 
man, Edmund Pendleton, Thomas Jefferson, and 
Isaac Zane, Esquires, were appointed a commit- 
tee to prepare the plan called for by the resolutions. 

In April, 1775, after lord Dunmore had convey- 
ed on board a sliip, a part of the powder from the 
magazine of Williamsburg, Mr. Henry distin- 
guished himself by assembling the independent 
companies of Hanover and King W^illiam coun- 
ties, and directing them towards Wiiliamshurgy 
y ^ 



S46 HENRY. 

Avitb the avowed design of obtaiinng payment foj? 
the posvtler, oi* of coHi})einng lis I'estitution. 
Tije object was etrected, for the king's receiver 
general gave a bill foi* the value of the proj)erty. 
The governor immediately fortified his palace, 
and issued a proclamation, charging those nho 
had procured tlic bill vvith rebellious practices. 
Tliis only occasioned a number of county meetings, 
whicli applauded the conduct of Mr. Henry, and 
expressed a determination to protect him. In Au- 
gust, 1775, when a new choice of deputies to con- 
gress was made, he was not re-elected, for his ser- 
vices were now demanded more exclusively in his 
own state. After the departure of lord Dunmore, 
he was chosen the first governor in June, 1776, 
and he held tliis office several succeeding years, 
hending all liis exertions to promote the freedom 
and independence of his country. 

In .June, 1777, and again in 1778, he was nnan- 
Imously re-elected govei'nor: but he declined tho 
honour. In 1780, we find him again in the as- 
sembly, and one of the most active members of the 
house. 

In 1788, he was a member of the convention of 
the state of Virginia, which was apj)ointed to con- 
sider tlie consitution of the United States: and he 
exerted all the force of his masterly elofjuence, day 
after day, to prevent its adoption. He contended 
Uiat changes were dangerous to liberty: that the 
old confederation had carried us tlirongli the \\ ar, 
and secured our independence, and needed only 
amendment: that the proposed was a consolidated 
government, in wltich the sovereignty of tlje states 
\vould be lost, and all jn-etensions to rights and 
privileges would be rendei*ed insecure. He offered 
a resolution, containing a bill of riglits and amend- 
ments, which, however, v.as not accepted. 

**The convention had been attended from its 
rommencement by a vast concourse of citizens, of 



HEN riY. 547 

all ages ami conditions. TFic interest so univer- 
sally felt in tlic question itself, and not less the 
transcendent talents which were engaged in its dis- 
cussion, presented sucli attractions as could not be 
resisted. 

**To wards the close of the session, an incident 
occur I'ed of a character so extraordinary as to de- 
serv e particular notice. The question of adoption 
or rejection was now^ approaching. The decision 
was still uncertain, and every mind and every 
heart was filled with anxiety. Mr, Henry partook 
most deeply of this feeling; an(i v.hile engaged, as 
it were, in his last effort, availed himself of the 
strong sensation which he knew to pervade the 
house, and made an appeal to it wJiich, in point of 
fiidjlimity, lias never been surpassed in any age or 
country in the world. After describing, in accents 
which spoke to the soul, and to wliich every other 
bosom deeply responded, the> awful immensity of 
the question, to the present and future generations, 
and the throbbing apprehensions with which he 
looked to the issue, he ]iassed from the liouse and 
from the earth, and looking, as he said, ^^ be- 
yond that horizon whirh binds mortal eyes," he 
pointed, with a countenance and action that made 
the blood run back upon tlie aching heart, to those 
celestial beings, who w ere hovering over the 
scene, and waiting w ith anxiety for a decision 
which involved the happiness or misery of more 
than half the human race. To those beings; with 
the same thrilling look and action; he had' just ad- 
dressed an invocation, that made every nerve shud- 
der with supernatural liorror — when lo! a slorm, 
at that instant arose, which shook the whole build- 
ing, and the spirits whom he had called, seemed to 
]iave come at his bidding. Nor did his eloquence, 
or the storm immediately cease: but, availing him- 
self of the incident, \\itha master's art, he seemed 
lomixini thefight ofhis £5thercal auxiliaries, ajid 



2-48 HENRY. 

"rising on tlic wings of the tempest, to seize iipoa 
tlie artillery of Heaven and (direct its fien est tlitjn- 
ders agaitjst the heads of his adversaries." Tlie 
scene hecame insupportable; and the house rose, 
without the formality of adjournment, the members 
rushing from their seats with precipitation and 
confusion." 

The constitution was adopted by a small majo- 
rity. Mr. Henry's bill of rights, and his amend- 
ments, were then accepted, and directed to be 
transmitted to the several states. Some of these 
amendments have been ingrafted into the federal 
constitution. 

**Thecase of John Hook is worthy of insertion. 
Hook was a Scotchman, a man of wealth, and 
suspected of being unfi-iendly to the Ameri( an 
cause. During the distresses of tlie American 
army, consequent on the joint invasion of Corn- 
wallis and Phillips in 1781, a Mr Venable, an ar- 
my commissary, had taken two of Hook's steers 
for the use of the troops. The act had not been 
strictly legal; and on the estalilishment of ])eace. 
Hook, under the advice of Mr Cowan, ager»tleman 
of some distinction in the law, thought ]»roper to 
bring an action of trespass against Mr Venable, 
in the district court of New London. Mr Henry 
appeared for the defendant, and is said to have 
disported himself in this cause to tlie infinite enjoy- 
inent of his hearers, the unfortunate Hook always 
excepted. After Mr. Henry became animated in 
the cause, he appeared to have complete con- 
troul over the passions of his audience: at one 
time he excited their indignation against Hook: 
vengeance was visible in every countenance: again, 
when he chose to relax and ridicule him, the whole 
audience was in a roar of laughter. He painted 
the viistresses of tlje American army, exposed al- 
most naked to the rigour of a Avinter's sky, and 
niai'king the frozen ground over which they mareli- 



HENRY. 249 

ed, witli tlie Ijlood of their unshod feet; where was 
the man, he said, who has an American heart in his 
bosom, wlio wouhl not have thrown open his fields, 
his barns, his cellars, the doors of his house, the 
portals of his breast, to have received with open 
arms, the meanest soldier in that little band of 
famished patriots? Where is the man? There he 
stands; but whether the heart of an American beats 
in his bosom, you gentlemen, are to judge. He 
then carried the jury, by the powers of his imagi- 
nation, to the plains around York, the surrender 
of which had followed shortly after the act com- 
plained of : he depicted the surrender in the most 
glowing and noble colours of his eloquence. The 
audience saw before their eyes the humiliation and 
dejection of the British, as they marched out of 
their trenches; they saw the triumph which lighted 
up every patriotic face, and the shouts of victory, 
and the cry of Washington and liberty, as it rung 
and echoed through the American ranks, and was 
reverberated from the hills and shores of the neigh- 
I)ouring river; but, hark, what notes of discord are 
these whicli disturb the general joy, and silence 
the acclamations of victory; they are tlie notes of 
John Hookj hoai'sely bawling through the Ameri- 
can cam4), &e^.' heef ! beef! 

*'The whole audience were convulsed: a particu- 
lar incident will give a better idea of the effect, 
than any general description. The clerk of the 
court, unable to command himself, and unwilling 
to commit any breach of decorum in his place, 
rushed out of the court house, and threw himself 
on the grass, in the most violent paroxysm of 
laughter, where he w^as rolling, when Hook, with 
very different feelings, came out for relief, into the 
yard also. The cause was decided almost by ac- 
clamation. The jury retired for form sake, and 
instantly returned witli a verdict for the defend- 
ant. Nor did the effect of Mr. Heury's speech 



-G50 HENRi. 

stop here. The people ucrc so highly excited bv* 
the tory audacity of such a suit, that Hook begaii 
to liear avouiKl him a cry more terrible than that of 
heef : it was tlio cry of tar and feathers : from tlfC 
application of whicli, it is said, that jiothing saved 
him but a precipitate flight and the speed of his 
liorse." 

In the tv,'o remaining years he continued a mem- 
ber of the assembly.. In the spring of 1791, he de- 
clined a re-election, with tlie purpose of bidding a 
final adieu to public life. In August 1795, he was 
nominated by president Washington as secretary 
of state, but considerations of a j)rivate nature in- 
duced him to decline the honourable trust. In No- 
vember, 1796, he was again elected governor of 
Virginia, and this office also he almost immediatc- 
iy resigned. In the year 1799, he was appointed 
by president Adams, as an envoy to France, witii 
Messrs. Ellsworth and Murray; this he also de- 
clined in consequence of a severe indisposition, to 
which he was then subject, and of his advanced age 
and increasing debility. Governor Davie, of 
North Carolina, was appointed in bis place. He 
lived but a short time after tb.is testimony of the 
respect in which his talents and patriotism were 
held. 

The disease which had been preying upon him 
for two years, now Jiastened to its crisis. He died 
on the 6th of Junc^ 1799, in the 62d year of his 
age. 

^^Thus lived, and thus died, the celebrated 
Patrick Henry, of Virginia; a man who justly de- 
serves to be ranked among the highest ornaments, 
and the noblest benefactors of his country . In his 
habits of living, he was remarkably temperate and 
frugal. He seldom drank any thing but water. 
His morals were strict. As ahushand, a father, 
a master, lie had no superior. He was kind aiid 
hospitable to the stranger, and most friendly and 
accommodating to his neighbours.'*. 



HOPKiNSON. 25i 

HOPKiNSON, Francis, Judge of the Coiivt 
of Admifalty, in Pennsylvania^ was born in Penn- 
sylvania, in the year 1738. He possessed an un- 
common share of genius, of a peculiar kind. He 
excelled in music and poetry; and had some know-- 
iedge in painting. But these arts did not monopo- 
lise all tlie powers of his mind. He was well skil- 
led in many practical and useful sciences, particu- 
larly in mathematics and natural philosophy; and 
he had a general acquaintance witli the principles 
of anatomy, chemistry and natural history. But 
his forte was Imoiour and satire, in both of which, 
he v/as not surpassed by Lucian, Svvift or Rabel- 
1 ais. These extraordinary powers were consecrated 
to the advancement of the interests of patriotism, 
virtue and science. It would fill many pages to 
mention his numerous pui>lication3 during the rev- 
olutionary war, all of which were directed to these 
important objects. He began in the year 1775, 
witii a small tract, which he entitled, ** A Pretty 
Story," in which he exposed the tyranny of Great 
Britain, in iimerica, by a most beautiful allegory, 
and he concluded his contributions to Iiis country, 
in this way, with the history of '* The nev>^ roof," a 
performance, which for wit, humor and good sense, 
must last as long as the citizens of America con- 
tinue to admire, and be happy under the present 
national government of the United States. 

Newspaper scandal frequently, for months to« 
gether, disappeared or languished, after the pub- 
lication of several of his irresistible satires upoB 
tliat disgraceful species of writing. He gave a 
currency to a thought or a phrase, in these effu- 
sions from his pen,which never failed to bear down 
the spirit of the times, and frequently to turn the 
divided tides of party rage, into one general chan- 
riel of ridicule or contempt. 

Sometimes he employed his formidable powers 
-of humour and satire iuoxposins the formalities' oT 



\1D^^ 



HOPKINSOiV. 



technical science. He thought much, and thought 
justly upon the suhject of education. He liehl seve- 
ral of the arts and sciences, which are taught in 
coHeges, in great contempt. His specimen of mo- 
dern learning in a tedious examination, the only 
ohject of which was to describe the properties of a 
^^Salt Box," published in the American Museum, 
for February, 1787, Avill always be relisiied as a 
morsel of exquisite humour. 

Mr. Hopkinson possessed uncommon talents for 
pleasing in company. His wit was not of that 
coarse kind, which was calculated to set the table 
in a roar. It was mild and elegant, and infused 
cheerfulness and a species of delicate joy, rather 
than mirth, into the hearts of all who heard it. — 
His empire over the attention and passions of his 
company, was not purchased at the exi)ense of in- 
nocence. A person who has passed many delight- 
ful hours in his society, declared, with pleasure, 
that he never once heard him use a profane expres- 
sion, nor utter a word, which would have made a 
lady blush, or have clouded her countenance for a 
moment with a look of disapprobation. It is this 
species of wit alone, that indicates a rich and pow- 
erful imagination, while that which is tinctured 
with profanity, or indelicacy, ai'gues poverty of 
genius inasmuch as tliey have both been considered 
very properly as the cheapest products of the mind. 

Mr. Hopkinson's character for abilities and pa- 
triotism, procured him the confidence of liis coun- 
try men in the most trying exigencies of their af~ 
foirs. He represcnied the state of New Jersey, 
in Congress, in the year 1776, and subscribed the 
ever memorable declaration of Independence. He 
h^ld an appointment in the loan ofiice for several 
years, and aftci'wards succeeeded George Ross, 
Esquire, as judge of the admiralty for the state of 
Pennsylvania. In this station he continued till 
the year 1700,, wlicn he was appointed judge of the 



HOPKINS. S55 

district court in Pennsylvania, hj the ilKistrioiis 
Washington, then President of the Uniteii States, 
and in each of these judicial offices, he conducted 
himself with the greatest ahility and integrity. 

His person was a little below the common size. 
His features \rere small . but extremely animated. 
His speech was quick, and ail his motions seemed to 
partake of the unceasing activity and versatility 
of the powers of his mind. 

It only remains to add; to this account of Mr. 
Hopkinson, that the various cav.ses \vliich contri- 
buted to the estabiislnnentof the independence and 
federal government of the United States, will not 
be fully traced, unless much is ascribed to the ir- 
resistible influence of the ridicule vvhich he poured 
forth, from time to time, upon the enemies of those 
great political events. 

He was an active and useful member of three 
great parties, which at different times divided Ids 
native state. He was a whig, a republican, and a 
federalist* and be lived to see the principles and the 
w ishcs of each of those prtrties finally and univer- 
sally successful. AKJiougli his labours had been 
rewarded with many plentiitd harvests of well 
earned fame, yet Ids death, to his country and his 
friends, was premature. He had been subject to 
frequent attacks of the gout in his ]iead, but for 
some time before liis death, he had enjoyed a con- 
dderable respite from them. On Sunday evening, 
May 8th, 1791, he was somewhat indisposed, and 
passed a restless night. He rose on Monday 
morning at his usual hour, aud breakfasted with 
his family. At seven o'clock, he v, as seized with an 
apoplectic fit, which in two Isours put a period to 
his existence, in the 5Si\ year of ills age. 

HOPKINS, Stephen, a distinguished patriot 

.ind statesman, was a native of that part of Pro- 

Tidence, Rliode Islaiid, vrhich now forms the town 

of Scituate. He was born in March, 1707, Ik 

W 



264 HOPKINS. 

liis youtli, he disclosed high promise of talcuis, 
and soon became esttemed lor his growing worth, 
his early virtues, and !iis regular and iiselul life. 
At an early period, he was appointed a justice ot* 
the peace, was employed extensively in the busi- 
ness of surveying hunis, and was appointed to va- 
rious other oilices, some of which were responsible 
and im])ortant; and he discharged the duties of all, 
with great ability mh\ faithfulness, and with equal 
advantage to his own reputation and the public in- 
terest. In 1754, he was appointed a member of 
the board of commissioners, which assembled at 
Albany, to digest and concert a plan of union for 
the colonies. Shortly after this he was chosen 
chief justice of the superior court of the colony of 
Hhode Island; and in 1755, he was elevated to the 
office of chief magistrate of the colony, and con- 
tinued in this dignified and important station about 
eight years, but not in succession. He was, also, 
for several years, chancellor of the College. At 
the commencement of the difficulties between the 
colonies and Great Britain, governor Hopkins 
look an early, active, and decided part in favour 
of the former. He wrote a pamphlet in support 
of the rights and claims of the colonies, called 
^*the Rights of the Colonies examined," which 
was published by order of the general assembly. 
He was a member of the immortal congress of 
^76, which declared these states, (then colonies) to 
he **free, sovereign and independent;" and his sig- 
nature is attached to this sublime and important 
instrument, which has no example in the archives 
of nations. 

Governor Hopkins was not only distinguislied as 
a statesman and patriot, but as a man of business; 
having been extensively engaged in trade and na- 
Tigation, and also concerned in manufactures and 
agriculture. He was a decided advocate, and a 
Z'ealous supporter, both of civil and religious H- 



KNOX. -£33 

bcrty, a firm patriot, a friend to his country, and 
a patroii of useful public institutions. He pos- 
sessed a sound and discriminating mind, and a 
clear and comprehensive understanding; was alike 
distinguished for his public and private virtues, 
being an able and faithful public otKcer, and an 
eminently useful private citizen. 

Governor Hopkins finished his long, honourable 
and useful life, on the 20th July, 1785, in the TOth 
year of his age. 

KNOX, Henry, major-general in the Ameri- 
can army during the revolutionary war, was born 
in Boston, July 25, 1750. His parents were of 
Scottish descent. Before our revolutionary war, 
which afforded an opportunity for the devoloj)e- 
ment of his patriotic feelings and military talents, 
he was engaged in a bookstore. By means of his 
early education, and this honourable employment, 
he acquired a taste for literary pursuits, which he 
retained through life. 

Young Knox gave early proofs of his attachment 
to the cause of freedom and his country. It will 
be recollected, that, in various parts of the state, 
volunteer companies v>erc formed in 1774, with a 
view to awaken the martial spirit of tiie people, 
and as a sort of preparation for the contest which 
was apprehended. Knox was an officer in a mili- 
tary corps of fnis denomination; and was distin^ 
guished by his activity and discipline. There i^ 
evidence of hJs giving Jincommon attention to mil- 
itary tactics at this period, especially to the branch 
of enginery and artillery, in which he afterwards 
so greatly excelled. 

It is also to be recorded, in proof of his predom- 
inant love of country, and its liberties, that he had 
before this time, become connected with a ver> 
respectable family, wliich adhered to the measures 
of the British ministry, and had received great 
promises both of honour and profit, if he would 



^.56 KNOX. 

follow the standard of his sovereign. Even at thigr 
time his talents were too great to be overlooked; 
aiu] it was wished, if possible, to prevent him from 
attaching himself to the cause of the T)rovincials. 
He was one of those whoso departure from Boston 
was interdicted by governor Gage, soon after the 
affair of Lexington. The object of Gage was pro- 
bably not so much to keep these eminent characters 
as Jiostages, as to deprive the Americans of their 
talents and services. In June, however, he found 
means to make his way througli the British lines, 
to the ximerican army at Cambridge. He was 
liere received with joyful enthusiasm: for liis 
know ledge of the military art, and his zeal for the 

liberties of the country, were admitted by all 

The provincial congress then convened at '\*' ater- 
town, immediately sent for him, and entrusted 
solely to him the erection of such fortresses as 
might be necessary to prevent a sudden attack 
from tlie enemy in Boston. 

The little army of militia, collected in and about 
Cambridge, in tlic sjjring of 1775, soon after the 
battle of Lexington, was without order and dis- 
cipline. All was insuborilination and confusion. 
General Washington did not arrive to take com- 
mand of the troops until after tbis periodc In tliis 
state of things, Knox declined any particular com- 
mission, thouo;h he readilv directed liis attention 
and exertions to the objects v/hlcli congress re- 
(|uested. 

It was in the course of this season, and before 
he had formally undertaken the command of the 
artillery, that Knox volunteered his services to go 
to St. John's, in the ]>rovince of Canada, and to 
bring thence to Cambridge, all the heavy ordnance 
and military stores. This hazardous enterprize 
he effected in a manner which astonished all who 
knew the difliculty of the service. 

Soon after his return from this fortunate expe« 



KNOX. 261 

dition, he took command of the whole corps of the 
artilh ry of our army, and retained it until the 
close of tlie war. To him the country was chiefly 
indehted for the organization of the artillery and 
ordnance department. He gave it both form and 
efficiency; and it was distinguished alike for its 
cxpcrtness of discipline and promptness of exe- 
cution. 

At the battle of Monmouth, in New Jersey, in 
June, 1778, general Knox exhibited new proofs oi 
his bravery and skill. Under his personal and 
Immediate direction, the artillery gave great ef- 
fect to the success of that memorable day. It will 
be remembered, that the British troops were much 
more numerous than ours; and that general Lee 
was cliarged with keeping back the battalion he 
commanded from the field of battle. The situa- 
tion of our army wi^s most critical. General 
Wasliington was personally engaged in rallying 
and directing the troops in the most dangerous 
positions. The affair terminated in favour of our 
gallant army; and generals Knox and Wayne re- 
ceived tlie particular commendations of the com- 
mander-in-chief, the following day, in the orders 
issued on the occasion. After mentioning the 
good conduct and bravery of general Wayne, and 
thanking the gallant ofMcers and men who distin- 
guished themselves, general Washington says, **he 
can witli pleasure inform general Knox, and the 
officers of the artillery, that the enemy have done 
them the justice to acknowledge that no artillery 
eould he better served than ours.*' 

When general Greene vras offered the arduous 
command of the southern department, he replied 
to the commander-in-cliief, *^Knox is the man for 
this difficult undertaking: all obstacles vanish be- 
fore him; his resources are infinite," ''True," 
replied Washington, ^^and therefore I cannot part 
with him." 

W f2 



.•238 KNOX. 

No officer ill the ai'iny, it is believed, more 
largely sljarecJ in the affection and confidence of 
the ilhistrious Wasliington. In every action where 
ho appeared, Knox was with him: at every council 
of war, he bore a part. In truth, he possessed ta- 
lents and qualities, which could not fail to recom- 
mend him to a man of the discriminating mind of 
Washington. He was intelligent, brave, patriot- 
ic, humarie, honourable. Washington soon became 
sensible of his merits, and bestow ed on him his es- 
teem, his friendship, and confidence. 

On the resignation of major-general Benjamin 
Lincoln, Knox was appointed secretary of the war 
department, by congress, (hiring the period of the 
confederation. And when the federal government 
was organized in 1789, he was designated by pre- 
sicient Washington, for the same honourable and 
responsible ofiice. 

Tiiis office he held for about five years; enjoying 
the confidence of the president, and esteemed by all 
his colleagues in the administration of the federal 
government. Of his talents, his integrity, and his 
devotion to the interests and prosperity of his 
country, no one liad ever any reason to doubt. In 
1794, he retired from office to a private station, 
followed by the esteem and love of all who had 
been honoured with liis acquaisjtance. 

At this time he removed with his family to 
Thomaston, on St. George's river, in the district 
of Maine, 200 miles north-east of Boston. He 
was possessed of extensive landed property in that 
|)art of the country, w hich had foruierly belonged 
to general Waldo, the maternal grandfather of 
Mrs. Knox. 

At the request of his fellow-citizens, though un- 
solicited on his part, he filled a seat at the council- 
board of Massachusetts, during several years of 
his I'esidence at Thomaston; and the degree of 
Doctor of Law s w as conferred on him by the pre- 
sident and trustees of Dartmouth college. ^ 



KNOX- 359 

The amiable virtues of the citizen and the man, 
weiv- as conspicuous in the character of gen^'^ra! • 
Knox, as the more brilliant and commanding ta- 
lents of the hero and statesman. The afflicted 
and destitute were sure to share of bis comj-assion 
and charity. '*liis heart was made o^ .^>^<J^5'ness;'^ 
and lie often disregarded his own wislies a id con- 
venience, in kind endeavours to promote tlie in- 
terest and happiness of his friends. 

The possession of extensi^ e property and high 
oflice» is too apt to engender pride and insolence. 
But general Knox was entirely exempt, both in 
disposition and manners, from this rovnmon frail- 
ty. Mildness ever beamed in his countenance; 
*^on his tongue were tlie words of kindness*" and 
equanimity and generosity, always marked his in- 
tercourse with his fellow men. The poor be nev- 
er oppressed: tlie more obscure citizen, we believe, 
could never complain of injustice at his hands. 
With all classes of people he dealt on the most fair 
and honourable princi])lcs- and would sooner sub- 
mit to a sacrifice of property himself, than injure 
or defraud another. 

In his person, general Knox was above the com- 
mon stature; of noble and commanding form; of 
manners elegant, conciliating, and Oignified. 

To the amiable qualities and moral excellencies 
of general Knox, which have already been enume- 
rated, we may justly add his prevailing disposi- 
tion to piety. With much of the manners of tlie 
• gay world, and opposed, as he was, to all super- 
stition and bigotry, he might not appear to those, 
ignorant of his better feelivjgs, to possess religious 
and devout affections. But to his friends it v/as 
abundantly evident, that he cherished exalted sen- 
timents of devotion and piety to God. He was a 
firm believer in the natural ami moral attributes 
of the Deity, and his overruling and all-pervading^ 
providence. 



•260 LAIJRENS. 

General KnoXv died at Thomaston, October £5, 
1806, aged 56 years. His death wa- occasioned 
by his sv allowing the hone of a chicken. 

LAURENS, liiiNRY, was horn in Charleston, 
South Carolina, in the year 1724. He took an 
early pn'^ in opposing the arbitrary claims oi' 
Great Britain, at the comnjencement of the Amer- 
ican revolution* When the provincial congress of 
Carolina met in June, 1775, he was appointed its 
president; in whicli capacity lie drew up a form of 
association, to he signed l)y all the friends of liber- 
ty, which indicated a most determined spirit. Af- 
ter tlie establishment of the temporary constitution 
in 1776, he was elected vice-presideut. Being ap- 
pointed a member of the general congress, after 
the resignation of Hancock, he was appointed pre- 
sident of that ilhistrious body, in November, 1777. 
In 1780, he was deputed to solicit a loan from 
Holland, and to negociate a treaty with the Unit- 
ed Netherlands. But on his passage, he was cap- 
tured by a British vessel, on the banks of New- 
foundland. He threw his papers overboard, but 
they were recovered by a sailor. Being sent to 
England, he was committed to the tower, on the 
6th of October, as a state prisoner, npon a charge 
of high treason. Here he was confined more t! tan 
a year, and was treated with great severity, being 
denfed. for the most part, all intercourse with liis 
friends, and forbidden the nse of pen, ink, and pa- 
per. His capture occasioned no small embarrass- 
ment to the ministry. They dared not condemn 
him as a rebel, through fear of retaliation; and 
they were unwilling to release liim, lest he should 
accomplish tlie object of his n^ission. The discov- 
eries found in his papers, led to a war with Great 
Britain and Holland, and Mr. Adams was appoint- 
ed iu his place to carry on the negociation with 
the United Provinces. 

Many propositions were then made to him. 



LAURENS. 26 i. 

whicli were repelled vvith iiidigiiatioii. At length, 
3iews being recei\'ed that his eldest son, a youth of 
suck uncommon talents, exalted sentiments, and 
prepossessing manners and appearance, that a ro- 
mantic interest is still attached to his name, had 
hecn appointed the special minister of congress to 
the French court, and was there urging tiie suit oi 
his country, with winning eloquence, tiie father 
was requested to write to his son, and urge his re- 
turn to America; it being farther !iintcd, that, as 
he w^as held a prisoner, in the light of a rebel, his 
life should depend upon compliance, *' My son is 
of age," replied the heroic fatlier of an heroic son, 
•^ and has a will of his own. I know him to be a 
man of honour. He loves me dearly, and would 
lay down his life to save mine, but I am sure that 
he would not sacrifice his honour to save my life, 
and I applaud him." This veteran was not many 
months after released, with a request from lord 
Shelburne that he would pass to the continent and 
assist in negotiating a peace between Great Bri- 
tain and the free United States of America, and 
France their ally. 

Towards the close of the year 1781, his suffer- 
ings, which had, by that time, become well knov/n, 
excited the utmost sympathy for himself, but kind- 
led the warmest indignation against the authors of 
his cruel confinement- Every attempt to draw 
concessions from this inflexible patriot having 
proved more than useless, his enlargement was re- 
solved upon, but dithculties arose as to the mode of 
effecting it. Pursuing the same high-minded course 
which he had at first adopted, and influenced by 
the noblest feelings of the heart, he obstinately re- 
fused his consent to any act which miglit imply a 
confession that he was a British subject, for as 
such he Iiad been committed on a charge of liigh 
treason. It was finally j)roposed to tai^e bail for 
kis appearance . . the court of king's bench, and 



36-2 LAURENS'. 

when the words of the recognizance, *• om* sove- 
reign lord tlie king,-' were read to Mr. Laurens, 
he distinctly replied in open court, *^not my sove- 
reign!" With this declaration, he, with Messrs. 
Oswald and Anderson, as his securities, were 
bound for his appearance at the next court of king's 
bench for Easter term, and for not departing without 
leave of the coui't, upon which he w as immediately 
disclmrged. When the time appointed for his 
trial approached, he was not only exonerated from 
obligation to attend, but solicited by lord Sliel- 
bui^ne to depart for the continent to assist in a 
sclieme for a pacification witli x\merica. The idea 
of being released, gratuitously, by the British go- 
vernment, sensibly moved him, for he had invaria- 
bly considei^ed himself as a prisoner of war. Pos- 
sessed of a lofty sense of personal independence, 
and unwilling to be brooglit under the slightest ob- 
ligation, he thus expressed himself, ^' I durst not 
accept myself as a gift; and as congress once 
ofiTercd general Eur gov ne for me, I liave no doubt 
of their being now wiiiing to offer carl Cornwailis 
for tlie same purpose." 

Close confinement in the Tower for more than 
fourteen months, had shattered his constitution, 
and lie v^as, ever afterwards, a stranger to good 
health. As soon as his discharge was promulga- 
ted, he receive:! from congress a commission, ap- 
pointing him one of their ministers for negotiating 
a lieace with Great Britaluo Arrived at Paris, in 
conjunction with Dr. Franklin, John Adams, and 
Jolin Jay, he signed the preliminaries of peace on 
the 30th of November, 1782, by which the inde- 
pejidence of the United States was unequivocally 
acknowledged. Soon after this, Mr. Laurens re- 
turned to Carolina. Entirely satisfied with the 
whole course of his conruict while abroad, it will 
readily be imagined that his coimtrymen refused 
h\m no distinctions v>'it]»in Iheir nowcr to bestow;; 



LEE. 2d3 

biitcTery solicitation to suffer himself to be elect- 
ed go vcraor, member of congress, or of the legis- 
lature of the state, he positively withstood. "^Vlieii 
the project of a general convention for revising 
the federal bond of union, Vvas under coi>sidera- 
tion, he was chosen, without his knowledge, one 
of its members, but he refused to serve. Retired 
from the world and its concerns, he found delight 
in agncultural experiments, in advancing the wel- 
fare of his children and dependants, and in atten- 
tions to the interest of his friends and fellow citi- 
zens. 

He expired on the Stli of December, 1792, in 
the sixty-ninth year of his age. 

Colonel Laurens, his interesting son, having ex- 
ecuted liis commission in France, returned to re- 
sume his place in the army. He was killed in tlie 
very last days of the war, in an insignificant skir- 
mish, just when the liberties of his country were 
decided. 

LEE, RicHAUD, Henry, president of con- 
gress, was a native of Virginia, and from his ear- 
liest youth devoted his talents to the service of 
his country. His public life was distinguisltedby 
some remarkable circumstances. He had the 
honour of originating the first resistance to Bri= 
tish oppression in the time of the stamp act in 
1765. He proposed in the Virginia house of bur- 
gesses, in 1773, the formation of a committee of 
correspondence, whose object was to disseminate 
information, and to kindle the flame of liberty 
throughout the continent. He was a member of 
the first congress, and it was he who made and 
ably supported, the motion for the declaraticdn of 
independence, June 10, 1776. The motion v» as sc- 
Gouded by Mr. John x\dams, of Massachusetts. 
Mr. Botta, in liis history of the ximerican revo- 
lution, says, Mr. Lee, spoke as follows, in sup- 
port of his motion to declare the colonies inde- 



'0:64 LEE. 

pendent, and was listened to with the most yro- 
found attention: 

**1 do not know, most prudent men and virtu- 
ous citizens, whether among tlie transactions hand- 
ed down to us by historians, v/hicli originated in 
civil discord, an<i excited either a love of liberty 
in tlie people or Mmhiiious desires in their rulers, 
any can be found more interesting and important 
than that which now engages our attention wheth- 
er we consider the future oestin^\ of iiiis free and 
virtuous people, or that of our enemies, w ho, not- 
withstanding this cruel war and unaccustomed ty- 
ranny, are our brethren, and descended from acom- 
mon stock; or that of other nations, whose eyes 
are intent upon this great spectacle, and who an- 
ticipate from our success moi*e freedom for them- 
selves, or from our defeat apprehend hea\ier chains 
and a severer bondage. For the question is not 
whether we shall acquire an increase of teii-ito- 
rial dominion, or wickedly wrest from others their 
Just possessions; but whether we shall preserve or 
lose forever, that liberty which we have inherited 
frcm our ancestors, which we have sought to pre- 
serve by crossing a w ide and tempestuous ocean, 
and which we liavc defended, in this land, against 
barbarous men, contending, at the same time, 
against the beasts of tlte wilderness and the disea- 
ses of an ungenial clime. And if so many and dis- 
tinguished praises have alv, ays been lavished upon 
the generous defenders of Greek and Roman liber- 
ty, w]iat w ill be said of us, who defend, not that 
freedom which rests upon the capricious w ill of an 
imstable multitude: but on immutable statutes and 
our tutelary laws; not that w hich w as the exclu- 
sive privilege of a few patricians, but that which 
is the property of all: not that, finally, which is 
stained by nnjiist ostracisms or the deximation of 
armies; but that whi( h is pure, tempt^i'ate, and 
gentle, and conforuied to the mild manners of the 



LEE. ^65 

igc ill which ^ve live. Why thcM, why do \vc pro- 
crastinate, and to what purpose are these dehiys ? 
Let us finish the undertaking so well begun; and 
^ince w^e cannot hope to secure that liberty and 
peace, which are our delight, in a continuance of 
the union with England, let us break the ties 
wiiich bind us together, and ])erfect that which wc 
enjoy already, I mean, our eiitirc and absolute in- 
^lependence. Nor must I here, in the beginning of 
my discourse, omit to say, that if wt have reached 
that fatal extremity, where nothing else can exist 
between America and England, but such war or 
.such peace as may exist between nations foreign to 
each other, this can only be imputed to the insa- 
tiable cupidity, the tyrannical proceedings, and 
reiterated outrages of the British ministry. On 
our part, nothing w-as omitted that might preserve 
the ancient state of peace and harmony, ^yho has 
not heard our prayers, and w ho is ignorant of our 
supplications f" England alone was deaf to our com- 
plaints, and wanted that compassion which was 
generously bestowed upon us by other nations. 
And as at first our forbea.rance, and then our re- 
sistance have been equally insuOicient; since our 
prayers were unavailing, as well as the blood late- 
ly shed; we must go further, and secure our inde- 
pendence. Nor let any one believe tiiat this al- 
iernativccan be avoided. Tlic time will nndoubt- 
•<:dly come, when the fatal reparation will take 
place, w hethcr you will or no: for sucli will be the 
inevitable consequence of the nature of things; of 
our always increasing population: of the fertility 
of our land; of the extent of our territory; of the 
industry of our countrymen; of the wide interve- 
ning ocean; of the distance of i\\Q two countries. 
And if tliis be true, as it is jnost iruQ, who does 
not sec that the. sooner it takes plaice the better; 
and that it would be not only imprudent, but the 
lieia'ht of folly not to seize tl-e present cccaslon. 
X 



266 "LEE. 

when British injustice has filled all liearts with in- 
dignation, inspired all minds ^^ith courage, produ- 
cexl concord, convinced tlie understandings, and 
made us fly to arms to defend our lives? And hovr 
long shall we he compelled to traverse three thou- 
sand miles of a tempestuous sea iio ask of haughty 
and insolent men for counsel or commands respect- 
ing our domestic concerns? Does it not hecomc a 
great, rich, and powerful nation, as we are, to 
look at home, and not ah road, for the government 
of our affairs? How can a ministry of strangers 
judge correctly of our concerns, respecting which 
it has no knowledge, and in wiiich it has no inter- 
est ? The pJtst justice of the British ministers 
should make us heware of the future, if they should 
again fix their iron fangs upon us. Since it lias 
pleased tiic cruelly of our enemies to place before 
as the alternative of slavery or independence, 
where is the generous minded man, and the lover 
of his country, who can hesitate to choose? AVith 
these perfidious men no promise is secure, no pled- 
ges sacred. Let us sup]>ose, which Heaven avert! 
that we are conquered, or are obliged to come to 
terms. What assurance have v>e of the British 
moderation in victory, or good faith in treaty? Is 
it their having enlisted, and let loose against us 
the ferocious Indians of the forest, and tire merci- 
less soldiers of Germany? Is it that faith, which 
has been so many times pledged, and so many* 
limes broken, during the present contest? Is it the 
British faith, which is considered more false than 
punic? Have we not ratlier reason to expect, that 
when we have delivered ourselves naked and un- 
armed into their hands, they will wreck their ven- 
geance upon us, will bind us with heavier cliains, 
in order to deprive us not only of the power, but 
«ven of the hope of again casting off the yoke? 
Biit let us suppose that there will happen in the 
|>r.esent case^ what has never happened in any oth- 



LEE. ' "^67 

^r, tliat the Bi'itish government will forget piist 
offences and comply with the conditions of peaccj 
can we believe that after so long a contest, after 
so masiy wounds, so many deatlis, and so much 
bloodshed, our reconciliation could be durable, 
and that every day in the midst of so nuich hati'cd 
and rancour, Would not afford some fresh subject 
of animosity? The two nations are already sepa- 
rated in interest and affections; the one is con- 
scious of its former strength, the other has become 
acquainted with its recently exerted force; the one 
intends to rule in an arbitrary manner, the other 
will not obey even if allowed its privileges. In 
such a state of things, v, hat peace, what harmony 
can be expected ? The Americans may become faith- 
ful friends of the English, but subjects, never. 
And let us suppose even that union could be restor- 
ed w ithout rancour, it could not without danger. 
The wealth and power of Great Britain should in- 
spire prudent men with fears for the future. Hav- 
ing reached such a height of grandeur that she has 
little or nothing to dread from foreign powers, in 
the security of ])eace tlie hearts of her people will 
become enervated, manners will be corrupted, her 
youth will become vicious, and the nation degener- 
ating in body and in mind, England will become 
the prey of foreign enemies or ambitious citizens. 
Should we remain united with her, we should par- 
take of her corruptions and misfortunes, so much 
more to be dreaded as they w^ould be irreparable; 
sejiarated from her, and remaining as Ave now are, 
we should have to fear neither the security of peace 
nor the dangers of war. And by a declaration of 
our freedom, the perils would not be increased, but 
the minds of men would be better prepared, and vic- 
tory more sure. Let us then take a firm step, and 
escape from this labyrinth: we have assumed the 
sovereign power, and dare not own it: we disobey 
a king? and acknowledge ourselves his subjects; 



-^^ LEE. 

wage war against a nation, upon ^^llom we aTway»- 
profess to be willing to hv dependoiit. In this un- 
certain state of things tlie inclinations of men are- 
wavering: ardent resolves are impeded; new diffi- 
culties are continually arising: our generals neither 
respected, nor obeyed: our soldiers neither confi- 
dent, nor zealous; weak at home, and despised 
abroad, foreign princes can neither esteem nor suc- 
cour so timid and wavering a people. But inde- 
pendence once proclaimed, and our object avowed, 
more manly and decided measures will be adopted; 
the greatness of the end in view will inspire the 
minds of the people witli an energy j)roportionably 
great; the civil magistrates will be filled with new- 
zeal, generals with new ardor, the soldiers with 
new courage, and all our citizens with more con- 
stancy and alertness, intent on this sublime and ge- 
nerous undertaking. But in coriSeqiicnce of it, 
will England contend against us with more energy 
and rage than she has already? Certainly not: she 
terms resistance to oppression, rebellion, as well 
as independence. And where are those formidable 
1roo]>s, that are to subdue the Americans;^ I'he En- 
glisli could not, and shall the Germans do it? Are 
they more brave, or better disciplined than the 
English? No! Besides, if the enemy's numbers 
Tiave increased, ours have not diminished : and we 
have acquired in the severe battles of the present 
yeai*. the practice of arms, and the experience of 
w ar. Who doubts then that a declaration of inde- 
pendence will procure us allies? All nations are 
desirous of procuring, by commerce, the produc- 
tion of our exuberant soil: they will visit our ports 
hitherto closed by the monopoly of insatiable Eng- 
land. They are no less eager to contemplate the 
reduction of her hated power; they all loathe her 
barbarous dominion; their succours will evince to 
our brave countrymen the gratitude they bear tlvcitt 
for having been the first to shake the foundation ol 



LEE. 269 

tJiis Colossus. Foreign piiiices wait only for the 
extinction of all hazard of reconciliation to throw 
off their present reserve. If this measure is use- 
ful, it is no less becoming our dignity. America 
has arrived at a degree of power which assigns her 
a place among independent nations; we arc not less 
entitled to it than the English themselves. If they 
have wealth, so have we; if they are brave, so are 
we; if they are more numerous, our population, 
through the incredible fruitfulness of our chaste 
^^ ives, will soon equal theirs; if they have men of 
icnown as well in peace as in war. we likewise have, 
such: political revolutions usually produce great, 
brave, and generous spirits. From what we have 
already achieved in these painful beginnings, it is 
easy to presume what we shall hereafter accom- 
plish, for experience is the source of sage counsels, 
anfl liberty is the mother of great nwii. Have you 
not seen the esiemy driven from Lexington, by thir- 
ty thousand citi:zens arraed and assembled in one 
day? iilready their most celebrated generals have 
yielded in Boston to the skill of ours; already their 
seamen, repulsed from our coasts, wander over the 
ocean, where they are the sj)ort of the tempest, and 
t]»e prey of famine. Let us hail the favourable 
omen, and fight, not for the sake of knowing on 
what terms we are to be the slaves of England, but 
to secure to ourselves a free existence, to found a 
just and independent government. Animated by 
liberty, the Greeks repulsed the innumerable army 
of Persians; sustained by the love of independence, 
the Swiss and the Dutch humbled the power of 
Austria by memorable defeats, and conquered a 
rank among nations. But the su!i of ximcri^^a also 
shines upon the lieads of the brave; the point of our 
weapons is no less formidable than theirs; here also 
the same union prevails, the same contempt of dan- 
gers and of death in asserting the cause of our 
country. 



sro LEE. 

^'Wjv then do we longer delay: why still deli- 
berate? Let this most happy day give birth to the 
American republic. Let her arise, not to de\ as- 
tatc and conquer, but to rc-establif-h the reign of 
peace and of tlje laws. Tlie eyes of Europe are 
fixed upon us! she demands of us a living example 
of freedom, that may contrast, by the felicity of the 
citizens, with the ever increasing tyranny whicli 
desolates her polluted shores. She invites us to 
prepare an asylum where the unhappy may find so- 
lace, and tlie persecuted, repose. She intreats us 
to cultivate a propitious soil, wliere that generous 
plant, which first sprung up and gcew in England, 
but is nov/ withered by the poisonous blasts of 
Scottisli tyranny, may revive and flourish, shelter- 
ing under its sahibrious and interminable shade all 
the iiuforiunate of the h'lman race. This is the end 
presaged by so many omens, by our first victories^ 
by the present ardour and union, by the flight of 
Howe, and the pestilence which broke out amongst 
Dunmore's people, by tlievcry winds which baffled 
the enemy's lleets and transports, and that terrible 
tempest which ingulfed seven hundred vessels upon 
{ lie coast of Newfoundland. If we are not this day 
wanting in our duty to tbe country, the names of 
the American legislators will be exalted, in the 
eyes of posteiiiy. to a level with those of Theseus, 
Lycurgus, of Roinulits, of Noma, of the three ^\il- 
liams of Nassau, and of all those whose memory 
jias been, and vv ill be, forever dear to virtuous men 
and good citizens." 

After the adoption of the articles of tL>e confedera- 
tioH, Mr. Lee w as under the necessity of withdraw- 
ing fi'om congress, as no I'cpi'csentative was allow- 
ed to continue in congress more than three years in 
any term of six years; but he was re-elected in 1784, 
and continued till 1787. In November, 1784, ke 
was chosen president of congress. When the con- 
fcdituticn of the F^jted States was submitted tothc^ 



LIVINGSTON. 271 

consi'leratlon of the piiblir, he contended for the 
necessity of jimendmcnts previously to its adojitlon. 
After the government was organized, he was cho- 
sen one of the first senators from Virginia in 1789. 
This station he liehl till his resignation in 1792. 

Mr. Lee died at his seat at Chantilly, in West- 
moreland county, Virginia, June 22, 1794, in the 
sixty-third year of his age. He supported through 
liff' the. cliaracter of a philosopljer, a patriot, and 
a sage; and he died, as he had lived, blessing his 
country. 

LIVINGSTON. Piiitir, whose signature is at- 
tached to our Declaration of Independence, v.as 
horn at Albany, in tlie year 1715, and educated at 
Yale college, in Connecticut, where he graduated 
in 1737. He was a grandson of Robert Living- 
ston, the original proprietor of the manor of Living- 
ston, on the river Hudson, in the state of New- 
York, who was born at Ancram in Scotland, iu 
the year 1654. His father, tlic Reverend John 
Livingston, a very distinguisljed minister of the 
kii'k of Scotland, having some years after found 
it necessary to quit his native country, on account 
of his ^*op position to Episcopacy," took charge of 
an English Prcb>terian church in Rotter.'iam, 
w bile he himself selected America as his future re- 
sidence. 

The grant, or patent of the manor of Livingston, 
bears date 1686, and the colonial history of New- 
York, from tlie year 1698. to the revolution, fur- 
nishes abundant evidence of the elevated standing 
in public life, which was maintained during that 
period, as well by the first proprietor of the manor., 
as by his immediate descendants. 

At the present day, when the advantages of a 
liberal education are so justly apDreciafe<h and so 
readily obtained: when a diploma is considered as 
necessary a preliminary for the covmting ho'ise as 
%v either the pulpit or the bar, its ^possessioa con- 



372 LIVINGSTON. 

fers no furtlicr distinction on an individual tljau 
Avhat i.s eiijovcd in common throughout the circle 
in which he njoves; there is reason, liowever, to be- 
lieve, that Philip Livingston participated in its 
hewefits at a time when it was almost exclusively 
confined to tlie learned profebsions, and that to liis 
early attainments may, in sonic measure, he attri- 
buted that deference to his opinions on subjects of 
general interest, which the mercantile pursuits that 
afterwards occupied his attention^ would not alone 
have been calculated to inspire. 

His entrance into public life was as a magistrate 
in tlie city of New York, where he settled as a 
merchant shortly after his marriage, and which he 
afterwards rcpreserited in the colonial general as- 
senshly, from 1759, to 1769. inclusive. The jour- 
nals of that body, dui'ing his term of service, 
evince his fidelity towards his constituents and a. 
constant regard for the iralerests and welfare of the 
colony. In 1764, he submitted to the house, in his 
capacity of chairman of a committee appointed for 
that purpose, a very animated petition to the king, 
wiiif^h was afterwards adopted, and in whicli the 
*' intimation of a design" to tax '* tliese colonies" 
by laws passed in Great Britain, is made the sub- 
ject of serious complaint? and, in 1768, we find 
his name as speaker, to an answer of the house 
to the celebrated Boston letter, and also, to two 
sev cral memorials to the English parliament on 
the subject of the existing grievances, which, in 
conjunction with certain explanatory resolutions, 
entered on the journals, occasioned the dissolution 
of iha assembly shortly after. 

The election of 1769. appears to have been 
warmly contested in the city and county of New 
York. The old members Avere nominated and 
strenuously si'pported by n»any. ^* for tlieii' noble 
an.' patriv'tii spn-it, hi hoh'ly asserting and main- 
taining the rights and privileges of Americans/' 



. LIVINGSTON. 27^ 

ivithout fee or reward; while, on the otlicr haiuT^ 
several otiier citizens were held up in opposition 
l)y a party, respectahle both as to numbers and 
character, but acting apparently under the influ- 
ence of feelings excited by former religious con- 
troversies between the members of the church of 
England and the dissenters. 

At the very commencement of the contest, Mr. 
Livingston published his determination ^^ not to 
have any agency in an election which he appre- 
hended would be productive of the most violent 
heats and animosities," and persisted in this reso- 
lution notwithstanding the solicitations of both par- 
ties to dissuade him from it* another name was ac- 
coi'dingly substituted on tlie old ticket, vvhile the 
friends of the new- candidates made a vigorous but 
unsuccessful attempt to accomplish their purpose 
by appropriating his to tliemselves, without his 
consent lie was, also, during the same year, re- 
turned as a member from the manor of Livingston, 
but, although the election was unanimous, it was 
decided by the {)0usethat his non-residence disqua- 
iiAed him from taking his seat. His constituents 
petitioned against the decision, but to no purpose. 
A detail of the various circumstances whicli clsar- 
acterized the life of Mr. Livingston, from the last 
mentioned period until the year 1774, would be but 
a record of those events which preceded and ter- 
minated in the meeting of the continental congress, 
as he invariably took an active part in all those 
measures adopted by his fellow-citizens, the object 
of which was to obtain redress for past grievances, 
or prevent their recurrence for the future. ■ An in- 
cident, however, occurred, a few days previous to 
his first election to the proposed congress, which 
may be worthy of notice from the evidence it fur- 
nishes that the conduct of Mr. Livingston, and of 
his rolleagucs, was influenced by libei-al and inde- 
peiident views^ becoming statesmen, and not by 



^74 LIVINGSTON. 

inoiives of sectional interests or iiidhidual popu- 
larity. Slsoi'^y after his nomination as a delegate 
in May, 1774, a letter, signed by several gentle- 
men/ ^vas directed to him. in conjunction with John 
Jay. Jolin Allsop, Isaac Low, and James Duanc, 
in which they were requested, " in order to avoid 
the inconveniences that may arise from a contested 
election,'* to state, explicitly, \\ liether they '* would 
engage to use their utmost endeavours at the pro- 
posed congress, that an agreement not to im])ort 
goods from Gi^at Britain, until the American 
grievaijces slioiild he redressed, should he entered 
into by tlie colonics;'* in answer to which they ob- 
served, that they would do every thing in their 
power, which, in tlieir opinion, would he condu- 
cive to the general iritevests of the colonies, and 
that, at present, they thought tlie proposed mea- 
sure the most efficacioiis one that could be adopted, 
but concluded with, 'VPermit us to add, that \vc 
make this declaration of our sentiments because we 
think it I'ight, and not as an inducement to he fa- 
voured with 3'our votes; r^or have we thi^ least ob- 
jection in your electing any other gentlemen, as 
Vour delegates, in whom you repose greater confi- 
llence." Tliis manly avowal was succeeded by an 
inutnimous election, and v/hen the time approached 
ibi' them to enter on their duties, they were escoi't- 
ed on the 1st of September. 1774, to the vessel in 
which they embarked for Philadelpliia, with all. 
those testimonials of respect, to widcii their char- 
acter and their cause so justly entitled them. 

From the year 1774 to 1778, Mr. Livingston was 
zealous and indefatigable in attending to his con- 
gressional duties, either as a representative from 
the colony, or the state of New York, altlmugh he 
was in the mean tiine also called on to assist in the 
formation of a state government, and to perform 
other public duties of a more local description. 
Ou the 22d of Nevember, 1774, he was elected a 



LIVINGSTON. V2r^5 

member of the association formed agreeably to a re- 
solve of congress, to abstain from importation, &c. 
In congress, he was appointed, (October lltli, 
1774,) together with Messrs. Lee and Jay, to pre- 
pare a memorial to the people of British America, 
and an address to the people of Great Britain. 
On the 20th April, 1775, he was chosen president 
of the **Provincial Congress," assembled in New- 
York, for the purpose of electing out of their body, 
delegates to the next continental congress; and 
was one of the delegates. On the 8th May, 1775, 
he, together with his colleagues, left the city for 
Philadelphia, '^attended by a great train to the 
ferry, of whom, about 500 gentlemen, including 
SOO as militia under arms, crossed over with them. 
On the 1st February, 1776, he, together with John 
Allsop, John Jay and Alexander M'Dougal, were 
unanimously elected to serve for the city and coun- 
ty in the next general assembly." On the I6th of 
the ensuing April, he was elected one of the dele- 
gates to serve in the next provincial congress; 
and in June, 1776, he was one of the delegates 
then elected to serve in the provincial congress the 
ensuing year; witli the additional power of forming 
a new government for the colony of New York. 
He \vas not, hovvever, destined to witness the ter- 
mination of a conflict, in the prosecution of which 
he had thus far redeemed the sacred pledge by 
which he stood committed to his country. In May, 
1778, he left his family, with a presentiment that 
what, to them appeared a temporary^ would in fact 
be a final separation; and shortly after, having re- 
sumed liis seat in congress, tlien sitting in York- 
town, Pennsylvania, he v»as followed to the grave 
by that body, whose character for wisdom, iirm- 
iiess and integrity, he had contributed towards es- 
tablishing: whose fame has ere this been recorded 
in the histories of other nations tbau our own, and 
wbose actions, wlien compared with the events o^ 



S76 MARION. 

preceding ages, may justify an American in ex- 
claiming: 

^'Frisco juvent alios: ego me nunc denique natnm 
gratulor.^^ 

Mr. Livingston is still remembered by many iu 
the state of New York, as a man ^v]lo, under an 
austere and even stern demeanour, possessed and 
exhibited most of those qualities, \vliich contribute 
to the pleasure, and insure the happiness of t!ie do- 
mestic circle; and who, in his intercourse with so- 
ciety, was distinguished by quickness of percep- 
tion, and frankness of expression, united to a sound 
judgment and persevering habits. 

As one of tlie founders of our independence, he 
foresaw the difficulties and sacrifices that were to 
be encountered, and proceeded in its earliest sta- 
ges ^^ ith a degree of prudence and circumspection, 
which were wain^anted by his age and experience, 
and which served as a check on the more animated 
eareer of some of his youthful associates; w hen, how- 
ever, "in the course of human events it became neces- 
.•»iary to dissoire the political bands" which connected 
this country v/ith Great Britain, neither consider- 
ations of personal convenience, nor the probable 
loss of fortune, were sufficient to prevent him from 
prosecuting, with ardour, a cause in which moder- 
ation and forbearance had hitherto been ineffectu- 
ally tried; and but a short time previous to liis 
death, he gave a proof of liis dcN otion to it, by 
selling a portion of Uis private estate to support 
the public credit. 

MARION, Francis, colonel in the regular .ser- 
vice, and brigadier-geiseral in the militia of South 
Carolina, was horn in the vicinity of Georgetown, 
in South Carolina, in the year 1733. 

Young Marion, at tlie age of sixteen, entered on 
board a vessel bound to the West Indies, with a de- 
termination to fit lihnself fora seafaring life. On 
his outward passage, Die vessel was '.jpset inagalc 



' MAKIOIS'. 27f 

*ii wind, when tlie crew took to tlieir boat without 
water or provisions, it being impracticable to save 
any of either. A dog jumped ijito the boat with 
the crew, and upon his Sesh, eaten raw, did the 
siirvivers of these unfortunate men subsist for se- 
ven or eight days; in which period scn eral died of 
Jiunger. 

Among the few who escaped w^as young Marion. 
After reaching land, Marion relinquished his ori- 
ginal plan of life, and engaged in tlie labours of 
agriculture. In this occupation he continued until 
1759, when he became a soldier, and was appoint- 
ed a lieutenant in a company of volunteers, raised 
for an expedition against the Cherokee Indians, 
commanded by captain William Moultrie, (since 
general Moultrie.) This expedition was conduct- 
ed by governor Lyttieton: it was folio v\cd in a 
year or two afterwards by anotlier invasion of the 
Cherokee country by colonel Grant, who served as 
major-general in our war under sir William Howe. 

In this last expedition lieutenant Marion also 
served, having been promoted to the raidv of cap- 
tain. As soon as the war broke out between the 
colonies and the mother country. Marion v,as called 
to the command of a company in the first corps 
I'aised by tlie state of South Carolina. He was 
^oon afterwards jrromoted to a majoi*Ity, and 
served in that rank under colonel Moultrie, in 
iiis intrepid defence of fort Moultrie, against tlie 
combined attack of sir Henry Clinto)i and sir li. 
Parker, on the 2d of June, 1776. He was after- 
wards placed at liie head of a regiment as lieuten- 
ant colonel commandant, in which capacity he 
served during the siege of Charlestoii; when, ha^-- 
ing fractured his leg by some accident, he became 
incapable of military- duty, and fortunately for his 
countiy, escaped the captivity to wiiich the garri- 
son was, in the sequel, forced to submit. 

Upon the fail of Cliarleston; many of the lea;!- 
Y 



.^78 MAlliUlS. 

iiig men of tlie state of South Carolina sougin per- 
•rsonal safety, witli their adiierents, in tlic aUjoining 
stav.es. Delighted at the present prospect, these 
faithful and brave citizens liastened back to their 
country to share in the perils and toils of war. 

Among them were Francis Marion and Thomas 
Sumpter; botli colonels in the South Carolina line, 
and both promoted by governor Rutledge to the 
rank of brigadier general in the militia of the state. 
Enthusiastically wedded to the cause of liberty, 
ne deeply deplored the doleful condition of his 
beloved country. The common weal was his sole 
object; nothing selfish, notliing mercenary, soiled 
his crmin character. Fertile in stratagem, he^ 
struck unperceived; and i*etiring to those hidden 
i^etreats, selected by himself, in the morasses of Pe- 
dee and Black River, he placed his corps not only 
out of the reach of Ids foe, but often out of the dis- 
coTery of his friends. A rigid disciplinarian, he 
reduced to practice the justice of his heart; and du- 
.I'ing the difficult course of warfare, through which 
lie passed, calumny itself never charged him ^\itk 
violating the riglits of person, property, or of hu- 
manity. Never avoiding danger, he never rashly 
sought it; and acting for all around liim as he did for 
jumself, he risked the lives of his troops only when 
it was necessary. Never elated with prosperity, 
nor depressed by adversity, he preserved an equa- 
nimity which won the a(hiiiration of his friends, 
and exacted the respect of his enemies. The coun- 
try, from Camden to the sea-coast, between the 
Pedee and Santee rivers, was the theatre of his ex- 
ertions. 

When Charleston fell into the enemy's hands, 
lieutenant-colonel Marion abandoned his state, 
and took sljelter in North Carolina. The moment 
he recovered from the fracture of his leg, he enga- 
ged in preparing the means of annoying the enemy 
then in the flood-tide of prosperity. With sixteen 



MARION. 279 

men only, he crossed the Santec, and commenced 
that daring system of warfare which so much an- 
noyed the British army. 

Colonel Pctci' Horry, in his life of general Ma- 
rion, gives tlie following interesting incident: — 
*^About this time we receiv ed a Hag from the ene- 
my in Georgetown, South Carolina, the oijject of 
which was to make some arrangements ahout the 
exchange of prisoners. The liag, after the usual 
ceremony of hlindfolding, was conducted int(» 
Marion's encampment. Ila^ ing heard great talk 
about general Marion, his fancy had naturally 
enough sketched out for him some stout figure of 
a warrior, such as O'Hara, or Cornwallis him- 
self, of martial aspect arid flaming regimcHLals. 
But what was his surprise, wh.en led into Marion's 
presence, and the bandage taken from his eyes, he 
beheld, in our hero, a swarthy, smoke-dried little 
man, with scarcely enough of thread-bare home- 
spun to cover his nakedness! and, instead of tall 
ranks of gay-dressed soldiers, a handful of sun- 
burnt, yellow-legged militia-men; some roasting 
potatoes, and some asleep, witli tlieir black fire- 
locks, and powder-horns lying by them on the logs. 
Having recovered a little from his surprise, he 
presented his letter to general Marion, who perus- 
ed it, and soon settled every thing to his satis 
faction. 

The officer took up his hat to retire. 

H3h no!' said Marion, 'it is now about our time;- 
of dining; and I hope, sir, you will give us the 
pleasure of your company to dinner.' 

At mention of tlie word dinner, the British offi- 
cer looked around him, but to his great mortifica 
tson, could see no sign of a pot, pan, Dutch oven, 
or any other cooking utensil, that could raise the 
spirits of a hungry man. 

^Well Tom,' said the general to one of his men^ 
^come, give us our dinner.' 



^im MARION. 

The dinner to which he alluded, was no otliei' 
than a lieap of sweet potatoes, that were very snug- 
ly roasting under the emhers, and which Tom, 
with his pine stick poker, soon lihei'ated from their 
?ishy confinement; ])inching them every now and 
then with his fingers, especially the hig ones, to 
see whether they were well done or not. Then 
having cleansed them of the aslies, partly hy hlow - 
iiig them witli lus hrcath, and partly hy hrush- 
ing tlicni with the sleeve of his old cotton sliirt, lie 
piled some of the hest on a large piece of bark, and 
placed them between the British officer and Ma- 
rion, on the trunk of the fallen pine on which they 
sat. 

^I fear, sir,' said the general, ^our dinner will 
not i)rove so palatable to you as I could w ish; but 
it is the best we have.' 

The officer, who was a w ell bred man, took up 
one of the potatoes and affected to feed, as if lie 
had found a great dainty; but it was very plain 
that he ate more from good manners than good 
appetite. 

Presently he broke out into a hearty laugh — 
Marion looked sur])rised. *I beg pardon, gener- 
al,' said he, *but one cannot, you know, always 
rommaiid one's conceits. I was thinking how 
droUy some of my brother officers would look, if 
our government were to give them such a bill of 
fare as this.' 

*I suppose,' replied Marion, ^it is not equal to 
their style of dining.' 

*No, indeed,' quoth the officer, ^^nd this, I ima- 
«-iuc, is one of your accidental lent dinners: a sort 
of ban yan. In general, no doubt, you live a great 
deal better.' 

'Rather worse,' answered the general, 'for often 
Ave don't get enough of this.' 

'Heavens:' rejoined the officer, *But probably 
Avhat you lose \u meal you makeup in malt, thougri 
stinted in vrovisions, } ou draw noble pay,' 



MARION. S8l 

^JSTot a cent, slr^^ said Marion, 'not a cent,- 

^Heavens a)id eartli! then you must be in a bad 
box. I don't sec, general, how you can stand it.' 

*Why, sir,' replied Marion, with a smile of self 
approbation, *tliese things depend on feeling.' 

The Englisltman said, 'he did not believe it 
would be an easy matter to reconcile his feelings 
to a soldier's life on general Marion's terms: all 
fighting, no pay ^ and no provisions^ bnt potatoes*^ 

*Why, sir,' answered the general, 'the heart is 
all; and when tliat is mucli interested, a man can 
do any thing. Many a youth wonld tliink it liard 
to indent himself a slave for fourteen years — = 
But let him be over head and ears in love, and 
with such a beauteous sweetheart as Rachel, and 
he will think no more of fourteen years servitude 
than young Jacob did. Well, now this is exact- 
ly my case. 1 am in love; and my sweetheart is 
LtBEHTY. Be that heavenly nymph my cham- 
pion, and these woods shall have charms beyond 
London and Paris in slavery. To have no proud 
monarch driving o\er me with his guilt coacl^es; 
nor his host of excisemen and tax-gatherers, insult- 
ing and robbing; but to be my own master, my 
own prince and sovereign; gloriously preserving 
my national dignity, and pursuing my true liap- 
piness; planting my vineyards, and eating their 
luscious fruit; sowing my fields, and reaping the 
golden grain; and seeing millions of brothers all 
around me, equally free and luippy as myself.—- 
This, sir, is what I long for.' 

The oiiicer replied that both as a man and a 
Briton, he must certainly subscribe to this as ji 
happy state of things. 

^Ilappy/ quoth Marion, 'yes, happy indeed; and 
I v/ould rather fight for such blessings for my 
country, and feed oii roots, than keep aloof though 
wallowing in all the luxuries of Solomon, For 
Howj sir, I walk the soil that gave mc birth, an^ 



£8£ MARION. 

exult in the thought tliat I am not unworthy of it. 
I look upon tliese venerable trees around me, and 
feel that I do not dishonour them. I think of mv own 
sacred rights, and rejoice that I Jiave not basely 
deserted them. And when I look forward to the 
long, long ages of posterity. I glory in the thoug])t 
that I am fighting their battles. The children of 
distant genei'ations may never hear my name; but 
still it gladdens my heart to think that I am now 
contending for their freedom^ with all its countless 
"blessings.' 

I looked at Mai-ion as lie uttered these senti- 
ments, and fancied I felt as when I heard the last 
words of the hrave de Kalb. The Englisliman 
hung his honest head and looked, I thouglit. as if 
he had seen the upbraiding ghosts of his illustri- 
ciis countrymen, Sidney and Hamden. 

On his return to Georgetov,n, lie was asked hy 
color.el TVatson why he looked so serious? 

*J have cause, sir,' said he, 'to look so serious.' 

*liVhat! has general Marion refused to treat?' 

^^o. sir.' 

*Weli^ then, has old Washington defeated sk 
Henry Clinton, and broke u}) our army:' 

^No, sir, not that neither; but WG^'se*^ 

*Ah! what can be worse?' 

*Why, sir, I have seen an American general 
and his oHicers, wiihout pay. and aimo.st without 
clothes, living on roofs, and drinking water; and all 
for Liberty ! ! What cliance have we against such 
men?' 

It is said colni-cl W^atson was not much ohliged 
to him for his speech. But the young ollU cr vas 
so struck witli Mai-ion's sentiments, that he never 
rested until he threw up his commission, and re- 
tired frum the service." 

General Marion was, in stature, of tlie smallest 
size, thin as well as low. His visage v as not 
pleasing, and his manners not captivating. He was 



MIFFIJN. 285 

i»eserved and silent, entering into conversation only 
when necessary, and then with modesty and good 
sense. 

He possessed a strong mind, improved by its 
own reflections and observations, not by books or 
travel. His dress was like his address: ])iain, re- 
garding comfort and decency only. In his meals 
lie was abstemious, eating generally of one dish, 
and drinkiiig vvater niosiiy« 

He was sedulous and constant in his attention t© 
the duties of his station, to which every other con- 
sideration yielded. 

The procurement of subsistence for his men, and 
the contrivance of annoyance to his enemy, en- 
grossed his entire mind. He was virtuo^is all over; 
never, even in manner, much less in reality, did 
be trench upon right. Beloved by his friends, and 
respected by his enemies, lie exhibited a luminous 
example of the benefit ial eifects to be produced by 
an individual, who, with only small means at his 
command, possesses a virtuous heart, a strong 
lie"ad, and a mind devoted to the common good. 
After the war the general married, but had no 
issue. He died in February. 1795. leaving be- 
hind him an indisputable title to the first rank 
ainong the patriots and soldiers of our revolutJon, 

MIFFLIN, Thomas, a major-general in the 
American army, during the revolutionary war, 
and governor of Pennsylvania, was born in the 
year 1744. of parents who w^erc quakers. His 
education was intrusted to tlie care of tlie reverend 
Dr. Smith, with Vvhom he w as connected in habits 
of cordial intimacy and friendship, for more than 
forty years. Active and zealous he engaged early 
in opposition to the measures of the British ])aidia- 
ment. He was a member of the fii^t congress iii 
1774. He took arms anil was among the first of- 
ficers commissioned on the organization of the 
continental army, being appointed quarter-master 



284 MONTOOMERY. 

general in Angast, ]T()5. I^'orthis offence Le was 
read out of the society of Quakers. Fn 1777, he 
was very useful in animalirig the milftia, and en- 
kindling the spirit, whift» seemed to have heen 
dan»ped. His sangidne (-isposition and his activi- 
ty i-endered Isins insensible to the value of that 
coolness and cantion, vvliicli were essential to tlie 
preservation of such an army, as was then under 
th.e command of general Washington. In 1787, 
he was a member of the convention, which framed 
the constitution of the United States, and his name 
is atMxed to tliat insti'ument. In October, 1788, 
he succeeded Franklin as president of the supreme 
executive council of Pennsylvania, in which sta- 
tion he continued till October. 1790. In Septem- 
ber a constitution for this state v, as formed by a 
convention, in which he presided, and he was cho- 
sen tlie first governor. In 1794, during the insur- 
rection in Pennsylvar»ia, he employed, to the ad- 
vantage of his country, tlie extraordinary powers 
of elocution, with which lie v/as endowed. The 
imj)erfec1ion of the militia laws was compensated 
by his eloquence. He made a circuit through tlic 
lowei' counties, and, at different places, ])ublic]y 
addressed the militia on the crisis in tlie affairs of 
their country, and througli his animating exhorta- 
tions, the state furnished tliC quota required. He 
was succeeded in the ofiice of governor by Mr. 
M'Kean, at the close of the year 1799, and he died 
at Lancaster, January 20. 1800. in the 57th year 
of his age. He was an active and zealous patriot, 
who had devoted much of his life to the public 
.ici'vice. 

MONTGOMERY, Hichard, a major-general 
in the army of the United States, in the revolution- 
ary war, was born in the north of Ireland, in the 
year 1737. He possessed an excellent genius, 
which w^as matured by a fine education. Entering 
the army of Great Britain, he successfully fought 



MONTGOMERY. 285 

hei' battles with Wolfe, at Quebec, 1759, and on 
the very spot^ where he wa,s doomed to fall, when 
fighting against her, under tlie banners of freedom. ^ 
After his return to England, he quitted his regi- 
ment in 17 T 2, though in a fair way to preferment. 
He had imbibed an attachment to America, view- 
ing it as the rising seat of arts and freedom, ilf- 
ter his arrival in this country, lie purcliased an es- 
tate in New York, about a hundred miles from the 
eity, and married a daughter of judge Livingston. 
He now considered himself as an American. When 
the struggle with Great Britain commenced, as he 
was known to have an ardent attachment to liber- 
ty, and had expressed his readiness to draw his 
sword on the side of the colonies, the command of 
tlie continental forces in the northern department 
was intrusted to him and general Schuyler, in the 
fall of 1775. By the indisposition of Schuyler, 
the chief command devolved upon him in October. 
He reduced fort Chamblee, and on the Sd of No- 
vember, captured St. Johns. On the 12th betook 
Montreal, In December, he joined colonel Ar- 
nold, and marched to Quebec. The city was be- 
sieged, and on the last day of tiie year, it was de- 
termined to make an assault. The several divi- 
sions were accordingly put in motion in the midst 
of a heavy fall of snow, which concealed them 
from the enemy. Montgomery advanced at the 
bead of the New York troops, along the St, Law- 
rence, and having assisted with his own hands in 
puliiug up the pickets, which obstructed his ap- 
proacli to one of the barriers, that he was determi- 
ned to force, he was pushing forwards, when one 
of the guns of the battery was discharged, and he 
was killed witli his two aids. This was the only 
gun that was fired; for the enemy had been struck 
with consternation, and all hut one or two had fled. 
But this event probably prevented the capture of 
Quebec. When he fell, Montgomery was in a 



3g6 MONTGOMERY. 

naiTOw passage, and his body rolled upon the icc; 
which formed by the side of the iIa cr. After it 
^as fouiid tlie next monung among the slain, it 
was buried by a few soldiers without any marks 
of distinction. He was thirty-eight years of age. 
He was a man of great military talents, whose mea- 
sures were taken with judgment and executed with 
vigour. With undisciplined troops, who were jea- 
lous of him in the extreme, lie yet ins])ired them 
with his own enthusiasm. He .shared with them in 
all their hardships, and thus prevented their com- 
plaints. His industry could not be wearieti, nor 
his vigilance imposed upon, nor his courage intimi- 
dated. Above the pricie of opinion, when a mea- 
sure was adopted by the majority, though contary 
to his judgment, he gave it bis full support. 

The following character of general Montgomery, 
we copy fi'om Ramsay's history of the American 
revolution : 

*'Few men have ever fallen in battle, so mucli re- 
gretted by both sides, as general Montgomery — 
His many amiable qualities had procured him an 
uncommon share of private afiTection, and his great 
abilities an equal proportion of public esteem. — 
Being a sincere lover of liberty, he had engaged in 
the American cause from principle, and quitted the 
enjoyment of an easy fortune, and tlie highest do- 
mestic felicity, to take an active siiare in the fa- 
tigues and dangers of a war, instituted for the de- 
fence of the community of \\hich he was an adopt- 
ed member. His well knov.n character was al- 
most equally esteemed by the friends and foes of 
the side which he had espoused. In America, he 
was celebiated as a nmrtyr to tlie liberties of man- 
kind, in Great Britain, as a misguided good man, 
sacrificing to what he supposed to be the rights of 
his country. His name was mentioned in parlia- 
ment wi1h singular respect. Some of the most 
powerful speakers in that assembly, displayed their* 



MONTGOMERY. S87 

eioqueiice in sounding his praise and lamenting his 
late. Those in particuiar who had heen his fellow 
soldiers in the late war, expatiated on his many 
virtues. The minister himself acknowledged his 
worth, while he reprobated the cause for which he 
fclL He concluded an involuntary panegyric, by 
saying. ^* Curse on his virtues, they have undone 
Iiis country.'* 

To express the high sense entertained by his 
country, of his services, congress directed a monu- 
rnoit of white marble, with the following insciption 
on it, and which was placed in front of St. Paul's 
diurch, New York. 

THIS MOiVUMBNT 

Was erected by order of 
Congress, 25th January, ITT 6, 

To transmit to posterity 

A grateful remembrance of the 

Patriotism, conduct, enterprize, and 

Perseverance 

OF MAJOR GENERAL 

RICHARD MONTGOMERY; 

Who, after a series of success. 
Amidst the most discouraging difficulties; 
Fell in the attack 
On Quebec 
31st December, 1775, 
Aged 39 years. 
The remains of general Montgomery, after rest- 
ing 42 years at Quebec, by a resolve of the state of 
New- York, were brought to the city of New- York,, 
on the 8th of July, 1818, and deposited, with am- 
ple form and grateful ceremonies, near the aforesaid 
monument in St. Paul's chureh. 

The remains were deposited in a most splendid 
mahogany coffin, with the following inscription, 
elegantlv engraved upon a silver plate, placed on 
its lid: 



288 PUTNAM* 

THE STATE OF NEW YORK, 

IN HONOUR OF 

GENERAL RICHARD MONTGOMERY, 

Who fell gloriously fighting for the 

INDEPENDENCE AND LIBERTY OF THE UNITED 

STATES, 

Before the walls of Quehcc, the 3 1st day of 

December, 1775, caused these remains 

Of tliis distinguished Hero to 

Be conveyed from Quebec, 

And deposited on the eighth day of July, 1818. 

In St. Paul's Church, in the city of 

New York, near the monument 

Erected to liis memo]*y 

BY THE UNITED STATES. 

This patriotic act of the State of New York, re- 
douuiis much to its honour. 

PUTNAM, Israel, a major general in the ar- 
my of the United States, was born at Salem, Mas- 
sachusetts, January 7, 1718. His mind was vigo- 
rous, but it was never cultivated by education. — 
W lien he for the first time went to Boston, he was 
insulted for his rusticity by a boy of twice his size. 
'After bearing his sarcasms until his good nature 
was entirely exhausted, he attacked and vanquish- 
ed the unmajinerly fellow to the great divei'sion of 
a crowd of spectators. In running, leaping and 
wrestling, he almost always bore away the prize. 
In 1739, he removed to lV)mfret, in Connecticut, 
Avhci'c he cultivated a considerable tract of land. 
He liad however to encounter many diiliculties, 
and among his troubles the depredations of wolves 
npon his sheepfold ^^ as not the least. In one night 
seventy fine slieep ant! goats ^\ere killed. A slie 
wolf, who, V. itl) her annual whelps had for several 
yiiars infested the vicijiity, being considered as the 
principal cause of the ha\oc, Mr. Putnam entered 
into a combination witli a number of his neighbours 
to hunt alternatch, till thev should destroy Jicr. 



inJTNAM. ^m 

A-t ieugtii the hounds drove her into hev den, and a 
iium!)cr of j)ersons soon collected with guns, straw, 
fire and sulphur, to attack the common enemy. — 
But the dogs were afraid to approacli her, and the 
fumes of brimstone could not force her from tiic 
cavern. It was now ten o'clock at night. Mr. 
Putnam proposed to his black servant to descend 
into the cave and shoot the w olf; hut, as the negro 
declined, he resolved to do it Ijimself. Having di~ 
vested himself of his coat and waistcoat, and hav- 
ing a long rope fastened round his legs, by which 
he might be pulled back at a concerted signal, h'^ 
entered tlie cavern, head foremost, with a bJazing 
torch, made of strips of birch bark, in his hand. 
He descended fifteen feefc, passed along horizontal- 
ly ten feet, and then began the gradual ascent, 
vhich is sixteen feet in Icngtii. He slovv iy pro- 
ceeded on his hands and knee.s in an abode, which 
was silent as the Iiouse of dcatli. Cautiously glanc- 
ing forwards, he discovered tlie glaring eyeballs 
of the wolf, who started at the sight of his torch« 
gnaslicd her leetii, and gave a sullen growl. He 
immediately kicked tise rope, and was drawn out 
Y»ith a friendly celerity and violGi. :e, which not a 
little bruised liim. Loading his git... witfi nine 
buckshot, and carrying it in one hand, while he 
held the torch w ith the other, he descended a se- 
cond time. As he approached the v* olf, she howl- 
ed, rolled her eyes, snapped her teeth, dropped her 
head between her legs, aud was evidently on the 
point of spriuging at him. At this moment he iired 
xit lier head, and soon found himself drawn out of 
the cave. Having refreshed bimself he again de- 
scended, and seizing the wolf by her ears kicked 
the i-ope, and his compaiiioiis above, with no small, 
exultation, dragg^jd them both out together. 

During the French w^ar, he w^as appointed to 
command a company of the first troops which wTrt 
raised in Connecticut, in 1755. He rendej-ed msj^h 
Z 



^90 PUTNAM. 

sirvice to tho army in the iicighboiirliood of Crown 
point. 

When general Amherst was marching across the 
i^ountry to Canada, the army coming to one of the 
]akes, which they were obliged to pass, found the 
French had an armed vessel of tweh e guns upon 
it. He was in great distress, his boats \Aere no 
Kiatch for Jier; and she alone was capable of sink- 
iiig his whole army in that situation. While he 
was pondei'ing what should be done, Putnam comes 
to him, and says, '^General, that ship must he ta- 
ken.^^ **Aye," says Amherst, **I would give tlie 
^vorld she was taken." *^F11 take her," says Put- 
nam. Amherst smiled, and asked liow? *'Gi\e 
mc some wedges, a beetle, (a large wooden ham- 
mer, or maul, used for driving wedges,) and a few 
men of my own choice." Amherst could not con- 
ceive how an armed \ essel v, as to be taken by four 
or five men, a beetle and wedges. However, he 
granted Putnam's request. When night came, 
Putnam, witli his materials and men, went in a 
boat under the vessel's stern, and in an instant, 
drove in the wedges behind the rudder, in a little 
cavity betv^een the rudder and ship, ami left her. 
In the morning, the sails were seen fluttering 
about: she was adrift in the middle of the lake; 
and being presently blovvn ashore, was easily 
taken. 

He was plougliing in li is field, in 1775, when he 
heard the news of the battle of Lexington. He im- 
mediately unyoked his team, left his plough on tho 
spot, and, without clianging his cloathes set oftMor 
Cambridge. He soon went back to Connecticut, 
levied a regiment, and repaired again to the camp. 

Among other examples that might be related, 
Ihe following is from a living witness. The day 
that the report of this affair reached Barnstable, a 
company of militia immediately assembled and 
Diarched off to Carabrida:e, In the front rank, 



FUTNAxM. 29 i 

tberc \vas a young mai), the son of a respectablx5 
ftirnier, and his only child. In marching from the 
village, as they passed his house, he came out to 
meet them. There was a momeiitary lialt. The 
drum and fife paused for an instant. I'hc father^ 
siippressiog a gtrong and evident emotl'^Vi, said, 
•'God he with you all, my friends! and o^ohn, if 
you, my son, are called into battle, take care that 
you behave like a man, or else let me never see 
vour face a2:ain!*^ A tear started into every eve, 
and the march vras resumed. 

In a little time he was promoted to the rank of 
:::njor-generaL In the battle of Bunkers iiill, he 
exiiibited his usual intrepidity, lie directed the 
men to reserve their fire till the enemy was very 
near, reminded them of their skill, and told them 
to take good aim. They did so, and the execution 
was terrible. After the retreat, he made a stand 
at Winter hill, and drove back the enemy under 
co\er of their ships. When the army was organ- 
ized by general Washington at Cambridge, Tut- 
nam was appointed to command the reserve. In 
August, 1776, he was stationed at Brooklyn, on 
Long Island. After the defeat of our army^on the 
27tii of that month, he went to New York, and was 
very serviceable in the city and neighbourhood. 
in October, or November, he warr sent to Philadel- 
phia to fortify that city. In January, 1777, he was 
directed to take post at Princeton, where he con- 
tinued until spring. At this place, a sick prison- 
er, a captain, requested that a friend in the British 
army at Brunsv.ick, might be sent for. to assist 
him in making his wilL Putnam was perplexed. 
He had but fifty men under his command, and he 
did not wish to have his \Neakness knov»n; yet he 
was unwilling to deny the request. He, however, 
sent a flag of truce, and directed the officer to be 
brought in the night. In the evening, lights were 
placed in all the college windows, and in every 



<m REED, 

apartment of the vacant houses throughout the 
town. The ojlicer, on his return, reported tliat 
genera! I'utnam's army, could not consist of less 
111 an 4 or 5000 men. In the spring, lie Avas ap- 
pointed to the command of a separate army, in the 
higlilaCs of JS^cw York. One Palmer, a lieuten- 
ant in the toiy new levies, was detected in tlie 
camp: governor Try on reclaimed him as a British 
officer, threatening vengeance if he was not i-esto- 
ved. General Putnam wi-ote the following pithy 
reply: 

"Sir, Nathan Palmer, a lieutenant in your Idng's 
service, was taken in my camp as a spy; lie was 
tried as a spy; he was condemned as a spy; and he 
shall be hanged as a spy. 

**ISKAEL PUTNAM.*' 

'•P. S. Aftei'noon, He is hanged." 

After the loss of fort Montgomery, the comman- 
der-in-chief determined to build another foi'tifica- 
tion, and he directed Putnam to fix upon a spot. 
To him belongs the pr^ase of having chosen Yv'est- 
Poi^it. The campaign of 1779, wJiich vras princi- 
pally spent in strengthening the woiks at tliis 
place, finished the military career of Putnam. A 
paralytic allection imj)aired the activity of his bod3% 
and he passed tlic remainder of his days in retire- 
ment, retaining his relish for enjoyment, his love of 
pleasantr^^, his strength of memory, and all the 
iacultles of his mind. He died at Brooklinc, Con- 
necticTLt, May 29, 1790, aged 79. years. 

REED, JosErH, President of the state of Penn- 
sylvania, born in the state of New-Jersey, the 27th 
of August, A. D. 1741. In the year 1757, at the 
early age of sixteen, he graduated with considera- 
ble honour, at Princeton college. Having studied 
the law with Richard Stockton, Esquire, an emi- 
nent counsellor of that place, he visited England 
nnd jjursued his stuiiies in the temple, until the 
dibiurbances which first broke out in the colonies 



REED. ^9§ 

oil ti«e passage of the stamp act. On his return to 
his native country, he commenced the practice of 
the law, and bore a distinguished part in the po- 
litical commotions of the day. Having married 
the daughter of Dennis De Berdt, an eminent mer- 
chant of London, and before the American revolu- 
tion, agent for the province of Massachusetts, he 
soon after returned to America and practised the 
law with eminent success in the city of Pliiladel- 
phia. Finding that reconciliation with the mother 
country was not to be accomplished without tlie sa- 
crifice of honour as well as liberty, he became one 
of the most zealous advocates of independence. 
In 1774, he was appointed one of the committee of 
correspondence of rhiladelphia, and afterwards 
presifient of the convention, and, subsequently^ 
member of the continental congress. On the for- 
ination of the army he resigned a lucrative prac- 
tice, which he Vvas enjoying at Philadelphia, and 
repaired to the camp at Cambridge, where he was 
appointed aid-de-camp and secretary to general 
^^^ashington, and although merely acting as a vol- 
unteer, he displaye^^l in this campaign, on many oc- 
casions, the greatest courage and military ability. 
At the opening of the campaign in 1776, on the 
promotion of general Gates, he was advanced, at 
tlie special recommendation of general Washing- 
ton, to the post of adjutant-general, and bore an 
active part in this campaign, his local knowledge 
of the country being eminently useful in the affair 
at Trenton-, and at the battle of Princeton: in the 
course of these events, and the constant follower 
of his fortunes, he enjoyed the confidence and es- 
teem of the commander in chief. At the end of the 
year he resigned the office of adjutant-general^ 
and was immediately appointed a general officer, 
with a view to the command of cavalry, but owing 
to the difficfilty of raising troops^ and the very de- 
tached parties in which they were employed^ be 
Z 2 



394 REED. 

was prevented from acting in tliat station. He 
still attended the army, and from the entrance of 
the Bi itish army into Pennsylvania, till the close 
of the campaign in 1 777 j he was seldom absent. He 
was engaged at tlie battle of Germantown, and at 
■^Vhitc Mai^h assisted general Potter in drawing 
up the militia. In 1778, he was appointed a mem- 
ber of Congress m\i\ signed the articles of confede- 
ration. About this time the British commission- 
ers, governor Johnstone, lord Carlisle, and Mr. 
Eden, invested witii pov/er to treat of peace, arri- 
ved in America, and governor Johnstone, the prin- 
cipal of them, addressed private letters to Hoiry 
Laurens, Joseph Reed, Francis Dana, and Robert 
Morris, offering them many advantages in case 
they would lend themselves to his views. Private 
Mjformatton was communicated from governor 
Jolmstoiie to general Reed, that, in case he ^^ ould 
exert his abilities to promote a reconciliation, 
10,000 pounds sterling and the most valuable of- 
fice in i\\Q colonies, were at liis disposal; to wliich 
Mr. Reed made this memorable reply: '^ that he 
"was not worth purchasing, Init that, S2tch as hervas, 
the king of Great Britain was not rich erwugh to 
do it.^^ These transactions caused a resolution in 
congress, by v, hich they refused to hold any fur- 
ther communication witli t]iat commissioner. Gov- 
ernor Jolmstone, on his return to England, denied 
in parliament, ever having made such offers, in 
corisequence of which general Reed published a 
pamphlet in which the whole transaction was clear- 
ly i;nd satisfactorily proved, and which was exten- 
sively circulated both in England and ximerica. 

In 1778, he was unanimously elected president of 
the su])remc executive council of the state of Penn- 
sylvania, to v.]»ich office he v,as elected annually, 
with equal unaiiimity, for the constitutional period of 
three years. About tijis time there existed violent 
parties in the state, and several serious commotions 



REED. 295 

occurred, particularly a large armed insurrection 
ill the city of Philadelphia vvliich lie suppressed, 
and rescued a number of distinguished citizens 
from the most imminent danger of their lives at the 
risk of his own, for whicli he received a vote of 
thanks from the legislature of the state. 

At the time of the defection of the Pennsylvania 
line, governor Reed exerted himself strenuouslv to 
bring back the revolters, in which he ultimately 
succeeded. Amidst the most difficult an^l trying 
scenes, his administration exhibited the most disin- 
terested zeal and firmness of decision. lu the civil 
part of liis character, his knowledge of llie law 
was very useful in a new and unsettled govern- 
ment; so that, although he found in it no small 
weakness and confusion, he left it at the expiration 
of Ids term of office, in as much tranquility and 
energy as could be expected from the time and cir^ 
cum&tances of the war. In the year 1781, on the 
expiration of his term of office, he returned to the 
duties of his profession. 

General Reed was very fortuiiate in his military 
career, for, although he was in almost every en- 
gagement in the northern and eastern section of 
the union, duling the war, he never \vas wounded; 
he had three horses killed un'ler him, one at the 
battle of Brandy wine, one in the skirmish at White 
Marsh, and one at the battle of Monmoutli. Bu- 
ying the whole of the war he enjoyed the confi- 
dence and friendship of generals Washington, 
Greene, Wayne, Stetiben, la Fayette, and many 
other of the most distinguished characters of the 
revohition, with whom he v.as in habits of the most 
confidential intercourse and correspondence. Tiie 
friendship that existed between general Reed and 
general Greene, is particularly mentioned by the 
biographer of general Greene. ** Aniorig the many 
inestimable friends who attached the:nf;eives to 
hioi; during his military civ^'cer, tliere was no one 



296 WARREK. 

whom general Greene prized more, or more Justly, 
than the iate govci*nor Reed, of Pennsylvajua. It 
was before this gentleman hml immortalized him- 
self by his celebrated repl} to the agent of corrup- 
tion, that tliese two distiiigidshed patriots had be- 
gun to feel for each other, tlie sympathies of con- 
genial souls. Mr. Reed had accompanied general 
>Vas!rington to Boston, when he first took command 
of the American army; there he became acrpiaint- 
ed with Greene, and, as was almost invariably the 
oase with those who became acquainted witli liim, 
and had hearts to acknowledge his worth, a friend- 
ship ensued which lasted with their lives/^ Had 
the life of general Reed been sufficiently prolonged, 
he would have discliarged, in a manner worthy of 
the subject, the debt of national gratitude to which 
the efforts of the biographer of general Greene 
have been successfully dedicated, who had in his 
possession the outlines of a sketch of the life of ge- 
neral Greene by this friend. 

In the year 1784, he again visited England for 
ihe sake of his health, but liis voyage w as attend- 
ed with but little effect, as in the following year he 
fell a victim to a disease, most probably bronght 
on by the fatigue and exposure to wliich he was 
constantly subjected. In private life, he was ac- 
coniplished in his manners, pure in his morals, 
fervent and faithful in liis attacliments. 

On the 5th of March, 1785, in the 4Sd year of 
liis age, too soon for his country and his friends, 
Ik* departed a life, active, nscful. and glorious. 
His remains were interred in the Presbyterian 
ground, in Arch street, in the city of Philadelphia, 
attended by the president and executive council, 
and the speaker and the general assembly of the 
state. 

WARREN, Joseph, a major-general in the 
An'erion army, during tlic revolt lionary war. 
was born in Roxbury, near Boston,, in 1740. and 



WARREN. * 29J 

was graduated, at Harvard college, in 1759. — ■ 
Directing his attention to medical studies, he, in a 
few years, became one of the most eminent physi- 
cians iii Boston. But he lived at a period when 
greater objects claimed his attention, than those 
which related particularly to his profession. His 
country needed his efforts, and his zeal and cour- 
age would not permit him to shrink from any la- 
bours or dangers. His eloquence and his talents 
as a writer, Avere displayed on many occasions^ 
from the year in whicii the stamp act was passed? 
to the commencement of the v, ar. He v/as a bold 
politician. While many were wavering with re- 
gard to the measures which should be adopted^ he 
contended that every kind of taxation, whether ex- 
ternal or internal, was tyranny, and ouglit imme- 
diately to be resisted; and- he believed that Ameri- 
ca was able to withstand any force that could be 
sent against her. From the year 1768, he was 
a principal member of tlie secret meeting or cau- 
cus in Boston, which had great influence on the 
concerns of the country. With all his boldness, 
and decision, and zeal, he was circumspect and 
wise. In this assembly tlie plans of defence were 
iiiatured. After the destruction of tlie tea, it was 
no longer kept a secret. He vras twice chosen the 
public orator of the town, on tlie jumivcrsary of the 
massacre, and his orations breathed the energy of 
a great and daring mind. It was he, who, on the 
evening before the battle of Lexington, obtained in- 
formation of the intended expedition against Con- 
cord, and at ten o'clock at iiight dispatched an ex- 
press to Messrs. Hancock and Adams, who were at 
Lexington, to warn them of their danger. He 
hiuiself on the next day, the memorable 19th of 
April, was very active. It is said in general Heath's 
memoirs, that a ball took off part of his ear-lock. 
In the confused state of the army, whicli soon as- 
sembled at Cambridgej he had vast inliucuce in 



298 * WARREN. 

preserving order among the troops. After tlic dc 
parture of Hancock to congress, lie ^.vas cliosen 
president of the provincial congress in liis place. 
Four days prcvioiss to the battle of Bunker's oi- 
Breed's hill, he received his commission of major- 
general. When tlie intrenchments were made upon 
tlie fatal spot, to encourage the men within the lines, 
lie went down from Cambridge and joined them as 
a volunteer, on the eventful day of tlie battle, June 
17tlh Just as the reti*eat commenced, a ball struck 
him on the head, and he died in the trenches, aged 
35 years. He was tlie iirst victim of rank tliat fell 
in the struggle Avitb Great Britain, In the spring 
of 1776, his bones were taken up and entombed in 
Boston, on which occasion, as he had been grand 
master of the freemasons in America, a brother 
mason, and an cloqucnt*iorator, pronounced a fune- 
ral eulogy. 

in tiiis action, the number of Americans engaged 
amounted only to 1500. The loss of the British, 
as acknowledged by general Gage, amounted to 
1054. Nineteen commissioned officers were killed, 
and 70 more were wjouuded. The battle of Quebec, 
in 1759, v,])ich gave Gi*cat Britain the province of 
Canada, was not so destructive to British officers, 
as this affair of a sligjit intrench ment, the work 
only of a few hours. 

The Americans lost five pieces of cannon. Tlieir 
killed amounted to 139. Their wounded and mis- 
sing to 314. Thirty of tlie former fell into the 
hands of the concpierors. They particularly re- 
gretted tlie death of general Warren. To the pu- 
rest patriotism and most undaunted bravery, he 
added the virtues of domestic life, the eloquence of 
an accomplished orator, and the wisdom of an able 
statesman. 

Thus was cut off in the flower of his age, this gal- 
lant hero, loved, lamented, the theme of universal 
regret.; a loss, at anv time deeply, but then, most 



WARREN. £9,9 

poignantly felt. Though he did not outlive the 
gloiies of that great occasion, he had lived long 
enough for fame. It needed no other herald of his 
actions than the simple testimony of the historian, 
that Warren fell, foremost in tlie ranks of that war 
wiiich he had justified by his argument, supported 
by his energy, and signalized by his prowess* The 
monument erected by his fellow citizens, on the 
spot where he poured out his lat< st breath, comme- 
morates at once his achievement an<l a people's 
gratitude. Though untimely was his fall, and 
though a cloud of sorrow overspread every counte- 
nance at tlie recital of his fate, yet if the love of 
favne be the noblest passion of the human mind, 
and human nature pant for distinction in the mar- 
tial field perhajjs there never was a moment of 
more unfading glory, offered to the wishes of the 
hrave, than that which marked the exit of this iie- 
i'oic oiticer. Still, who v ijt not lament that he in- 
cautiously courted the post of danger, while more 
important occasions required a regard to personal 
safety ? 

Perhaps his fall was as useful to his country, as 
it was glorious to himself. His death served to 
adorn the cause for which he contended, excited 
emulation, and gave a pledge of perseverance and 
ultimate success. In the grand sacrifice, of which 
a new nation was that day to celebrate in the face 
of the world, to prove their sincerity to Heaven, 
whose Providence tliey had invoked, tlie noblest 
victim was the most suitable sacrifice. 

There are few names in the annals of American 
patriotism more dearly cherished by the brave and 
good; few that will shine with more increasing 
lustre, as the obscurity of time grows darker, than 
that of general Warren. He will be the personal 
representative of those brave citizens, who witli 
arms hastily collected, sprang from their peacea- 
feie homes to resist aggression^ and on the plains of 



300 WASHINGTON. 

Lexington aiul the heights of Charlestowii, cemeut- 
ed with thcii* blood the loundation of American li- 
berty. 

He was endowed with a clear and vigorous un- 
derstanding, a disposition humane and generous; 
qualities which, graced by manners affable and en- 
gaging, rendered him tl)e idol of the army and of 
his friends. His powers of speech and reasoning 
commanded respect. His professional as well as 
political abilities were of the highest order. He 
ha(i been an a( tive volunteer in several skirmishes 
winch had occurred since the commencement of 
hostilities, in all of which he gave strong presages 
of capacity and distinction in the profession of 
arms. But tlic fond liopes of his country were to 
be closed in deatli; not, however, until he had scal- 
ed with his blood the charter of our liberties: not 
until he had secured that permanence of glory with 
wliich we encircle the memory, whilst we cherish 
the name, of Wareen. 

The battle of Bunker Hill was, in many respects, 
one of the most remarkable conliirts that has mois- 
tened the earth with human blood. No spirit of 
prophesy is required to foretel, that from the conse- 
<|ucnces with which it is connected, and which it 
may be said to have guaranteed, after ages w ill 
consider itbnc of the most interesting of all battles, 
and that it will be hallowed by the gratitude of 
mankind, as among the most precious and benefi- 
cent contests ever waged in behalf of human rights 
and human hap]>incss. 

Dr. Warren published an oration in 1772, and 
another in 1775, commemorati'v c of the 5th of 
March, 1770. 

WASHINGTON, Geoiige, commander in chief 
of the American army, during the revolutionary 
war with Great Britain, and first president of tlic 
United States, was tlie third son of Mr. Augustine 
Washington, and was born at Bi'idges creek, in the 
county of Wesisnoreland. Virginia, February 2^^ 



WASHINl^TOK. SOI 

175^, His great grandfather had emigrated to 
that place from the north of England, about the 
year 1657. At the age of ten years^ he lost his fa~ 
ther, and the patrimonial estate descended to his 
elder brother, Mr. Lawrence Washington, who. 
in the year 1740, had been engaged in the expedi- 
tion against Carthagena, In honour of the Bri- 
tish admiral, who commanded the fleet employed 
in that enterprise, the estate was called Mount 
Vernon. At the age of fifteen, agi'ecably to the 
wislies of his brother, as well as to his own urgent 
request to enter into the British navy, the place of 
a midshipman in a vessel of war, then stationed on 
the coast of Virginia, was obtained for him. Ev- 
ery thing was in readiness for liis departure, when 
the fears of a timid and affectionate mother pre- 
vailed upon him to abandon his proposed career 
on the ocean, and were the means of retaining liiin 
upon the land, to be the fiiture vindicator of his 
country's rights. All the advantages of education 
wiiicli lie enjoyed, were derived from a private tu- 
tor, who instructed him in English literature and 
tlie general principles of science, as well as in mo- 
a^aHty and religion. After his disappointment, 
with regard to entering the navy, he devoted much 
of his time to the study of the mathematics^ and in 
the practice of his profession as a surveyor, he had 
an opportunity of acquiring that information, res- 
pecting the value of vacant lan«is, which, after- 
wards, greatly contributed to the increase of his 
pri\ ate fortune. At the age of nineteen, wlicn the 
militia of Virginia were to he trained for actual 
;?ervice, lie was appointed an adjutant-general with 
tlie rank of major. It was for a very short time, 
that he discharged tlie duties of that office. In the 
year 1753? the plan formed by France, for connect- 
ing Canada with Louisiana by a line of posts, and 
thus of enclosing the British colonies, and of estab- 
lishing her influence over tho numerous Irihcs of 
A A 



30^3 WASHINGTON. 

Iiulians on the frontiers, began to be dcA doped, [a 
the prosecution of this design possession had be-cn 
taken of a tract of hind, tben believed to be witliin 
the province of Virginia. Mr. Dinwiddie, the 
lieutenant governor, being determined to remon- 
strate against the projiosed encroachment, and vio- 
lation of the treaties between the two countries, 
dispatched major Washington, tlirough tlie wil- 
derness to the Ohio, to deliver a letter to the com- 
manding officer of tiie French, and also to explore 
the country. Tliis trust of danger and fatigue he 
executed with great ability. He left Williams- 
burg, October 31, 1753, the very day on which 
lie received his commission, and at the frontier set- 
tlement of tlie English, engaged guides to conduct 
Jiim over the Alleghany mountains. 

At a place u])on t!ic Alleghany, called Murder- 
ing town, they fell in with a hostile Indian who was 
one of the party then lying in wait, and who fired 
Ti])on them not ten steps distant. They took him 
into custody and kept him until nine o'clock, and 
then let him go. To a\ oid tlie pursuit which they 
presumed would be commenced in the morning, 
they travelled all night. On reacliing the Monon- 
gahela, they had a hard day's work to make a raft 
with a hatchet. In attempting to cross the river 
to reach a trader's house, they were enclosed by 
masses of ice. In order to stop the raft, major 
Washington put down his setting pole, but the ice 
oame with such force against it, as to jerk him 
into the w ater. He saved himself by seizing one 
of the raft logs. With difficulty they landed on an 
island, where they passed tlie night. The cold 
was so sevei^e, that tlie pilot's hands and feet were 
frozen. The next day they crossed the river upon 
the ice. Washington arrived at Williamsburg, 
January 16, 1754. His journal, which evinced 
the solidity of his judgment and his fortitude, was 
published. 



WASHINGTON. 3^8 

As tlie French seemed disposed to remain on the 
^hio, it was determined to raise a regiment ot 
ahout 300 men to maintain the claims of the Bri- 
tish crown. The command was given to Mr. Fry; 
and major Washington, who was ap[)ointed iieu- 
tenant colonel, marclied with two companies early 
HI April,. 1754, in advance of the other troops. A 
few miles west of tlic Great Meadows, he surpris- 
ed a French encampment in a dark rainy night, 
and only one man escaped. Before the arrival of 
the two remaining companies, Mr, Fry died, and 
the command devolved on colonel Wasliington^ 
Being joined by two other companies of regular 
troops from Sonth Carolina and New York, after 
erecting a small stockade at the Great ^leadows, 
lie proceeded towards fort du Qucsnc, which had 
been built but ?. short time, with the interition of dis- 
lodging the French. He had marched only thir- 
teen miles to the western-most foot of Laurel hill, 
before he received information of the approach of 
the enemy with superior numbers, and was induced 
to return to his stockade. He began a ditch around 
it. and called it Fort Necessity: but the next day, 
July 3, he was attacked by fifteen hundred men. 
His own troops were only about four hundred in 
nr.mber. The action commenced at ten in the 
morning and lasted until dark. A part of the 
Americans fought within the fort, and a part in 
the ditch filled with mud and water. Colonel 
Wavsliirsgton was himself on the outside of the fort 
during the whole day. The enemy fought unc'er 
cover of the trees vand high grass. In tlie course 
of the night articles of capitulation were agreed 
upon. The garrison were allowed to retain their 
arms and baggage, and to march unmolested to tiie 
inhabited parts of Virginia. The loss of the Ameri- 
cans in killed and wounded was supposed to be about 
a Ihindred, and that of the enemy about two hun- 
dred. In a fcv/ months afterwards orders v/ercj 



J04 WASHINGTON. 

received for settling the rank of the officers, and 
those who were commissioned by tlic king being di- 
rected to take rank of the provincial oflicers, Colo- 
nel Washiiigtou indignantly resigned his commis- 
sion. He now retired to Mount Vernon, that 
estate by the death of his brother, having devolved 
upon him. Eiit in the spring of 1755, he accepted 
an invitation from general Braddock to enter his 
.family as a volunteer aid-dc-camp in his expedition 
to the Ohio. He proceeded witli him to Will's 
creek, afterwards called fort Cumberland, in iiprlL 
After the troops liad marched a few miles from this 
place, he was seized with a raging fever; but refu- 
sing to remain behind, he was conveyed in a cov- 
ere;] Vt^aggoii. By his advice twelve hundred men 
were detached in order to reach fort du Quesne be- 
.f^)rc an expected reinforcement should be received 
at til at place. These disencumbered troops were 
commanded by Braddock himself, and colonel 
Yfasliington, though still extremely ill, insisted 
upon proceeding witli them. After they arrived 
upon the Monongaliclahe advised the general to em- 
ploy the ranging companies of Virginia to scour 
(he Y/oods a?ul prevent ambuscades; but his advice 
vvari not followed. On the ninth of July, when 
the army was within seven miles of tlie fort du 
Quesne, the enemy commenced a sudden and furi- 
ous attack, being coiicealed by the wood and grass. 
Washington v/as tlie only aid, that was unv.oun- 
ded, and on him devolved the whole duty of carry- 
ing the orders of the commander in chief. He was 
?:{)()! and fearless. Though he had two horses shot 
under him, and four balls through his coat, he es- 
eaped unhurt, v^diile every officer on horseback was 
either killed or wounded. Doctor Craik,the pliy- 
sician, who attended him on his last sickness, wa5 
present in this battle, and says, ** I expected every 
moment to see liim fall. Nothing but the superin- 
tending care of Providence could have saved him 



WASHINGTON. S05 

from tlie fate of ail around hivn.*' After an action 
of tiiree hours, the troops gave way in all direc- 
tions, and colonel Wa&hington and two others, 
brought off Braddock, who had been mortally 
wounded. He attempted to rally the retreating 
troops; but, as lie says himself, it was like endea- 
vouring '* to stop the wild bears of the mountains." 
The conduct of tlie regular troops was most cow- 
ardly. The enemy were few in numbers and had 
no expectation of victory. In a sermon occasioned 
by this expedition, the reverend Dr. Davies, of 
Hanover county, thus prophetically expressed him- 
self^ ^*as a remarkable instance of patriotism I 
may point out to the public that heroic youth, col- 
onel Washington, whom I cannot but hope Provi- 
dence has hitherto preserved in so signal a man- 
ner, for some important service to his country.'^ 
For this purpose he was indeed preserved, and at 
tlie end of twenty years he began to render to his 
country more important services, than the minis- 
ter of Jesus could have anticipated. From 1755^ 
to 1758, he commanded a regiment, which was 
raised for the protection of the frontiers. 

In July 1758, another expedition was underta- 
ken against foi-t du Quesne. in which Washington 
commanded the Virginia troops. By slow marcli- 
es they were enabled, on the 25tli of November, to 
reach fort du Quesne, of which peaceable posses- 
sion \^as taken, as the enemy on the preceding 
nig] it setting it on fire, had abandoned it and pro- 
ceeded down tlie Ohio- The works in this place 
were re])aired, and its name was changed to that 
of Fort Pitt. Colonel Washington now resigned 
his commission. 

Soon after liis resignation he was married to the 
widow of Mr. Custis, a young lady, to wliom he 
had been for sometime strongly attached, and who^ 
to a large fortune and a fine person, added those 
amiable accomplishments^ which n\\ with silen*fo- 
Aa2 



.30G WASHINGTON. 

Ji( ity t]»e scenes of domestic life. His attentioe 
for se^C!ai years, was principally dii-ectetl to the 
mi r.agoment of his estate, which hail now become 
considerable. He was- at this period, a respe( +a- 
ble member of the legislature of Virginia in which 
he took a decided part in opposition to the princi- 
ple of taxation, asserted by the British parlia- 
ment. He also acted as a judge of a county court. 
In 1774, lie was eic ted a member of the first con- 
gi'ess, and was j)laced on all those committees, 
whose duty it w as to make arrangements for de- 
fence. In the following year, after the battle of 
Lexington, w hen it w^as aetermined by congress to 
resort to arms, colonel Wasiiington was unani- 
mous!} elected commander-in-chief o"* the army 
n( the united colonies. Ail were satisfied as to his 
qualifications, and th.e delegates from New Eng- 
land w ere particularly pleased with his election, as 
it would tend to unite the southern colonies cordi- 
ally in the war. He accepted tlte appointment \sith 
diffideiece. and expressed his intention of receiving 
210 compensation for his serA ices, and only a mere 
discharge of his expenses. He imraediatelv re- 
paired to Cambrii'ige. in the neighbourhood of Bos- 
ton, where he arrived on the 2d of July. He form- 
ed the army iiito tliree divisions, in order, the most 
eifectualiy, to inclose the enemy, intrusting the di- 
vir-ion at Roxbury to general Ward, the division on 
Prospect and Winter jjills to general Lee, and 
commanding liiuiself the centre at Cambridge. 
Here he had to struggle with great difliculties, with 
the want of ammunition, clothing, and magazines, 
defect of arms and discipline, and the evils of sliort 
enlistments, hut instead of yielding to despondence 
he bent the whole force of his mind to overcome 
them. He soon made tlic alarming discovery, that 
there was oidy sufficient powder on hand to fur- 
^i^!) the ai'my with nine cartridges for each mar.. 
With the great«3st caution^ to keep this fact a sc- 



WASHING-TON. 3Q7 

GPet, the utmost exertions were employed to pro- 
cure a supply. A vessel which was dispatchec? to 
Africa, obtained, in exchange for New England 
mm, all the gunpowder in the British factories; 
and in the beginning of winter, captain Manly 
captured an ordnance brig, which furnished the 
xVmerican army with tbe precise articles, of wliicli 
it was in tlie greatest want. In September, gene- 
ral Washington dispalclied Arnold on an expedi- 
tion against Quebec. In February, 1776, he pro- 
posed to a couni il of his otiicers to cross the ice 
and attack the enemy in Boston, but they unani- 
mously disapproved of the daring joeasure. It was, 
however, soon resolved to take possession of the 
heights of Dorchester. This was done without 
discovery, on the night of the 4th of March, 
and on the 17th tlie enemv found it necessary 
lO evacuate tl»e town. Tlie recovery of Bos- 
ton induced congress to pass a vote of thanks to 
general Washington and his brave army. 

in the belief, that the efforts of the Britisli would 
be directed towards the Hudson, he hastened the 
army to New York, where he himself arrived on 
the i4th of April. He made every exertion to for- 
tify tl'.e city, and attention was paid to the forts in 
the highlands. While he met the most embarr-as- 
sing difdcalties, a plan was formed to assist the 
enemy in seizing his person, and some of his own 
gisards engaged in the conspiracy; but it vvas (Sis- 
covered, and some, who were concerned in it, 
were executed. In the beginiiing of July, general 
Howe landed bis troops at Staten Island, his broth- 
er lord Howe, wlio commanded the fleet, soon ar- 
rived; and as both were commissioners for restor- 
ing peace to the colonies, the latter addressed a 
letter, upon tlie subject, to " George Wasliington, 
esquire:" but the general refused to receive it. as 
it did not acknowledge the pu?>]ic character, ". ith 
^hichhewas invested bv conscress. in which char- 



508 WASHINGTON. 

aclcr only he could have any interronrse with ])is 
lordship. Another letter was sent to *' (ieorgc 
AVasliington, &c. &c. &c." This, for the same 
reason, was rejected. After the disastrous battle 
of Brooklyn, on tlie 27th of August, in which 
Sterling and Sullivan were taken prisoners, and of 
which he w'as only a spectator, he \\it]i(h'ew the 
troops fram Long Island, and in a few days he 
resohed to withdraw from New York. AtKii(}>'s 
hay, about throe miles from the city, some works 
liad been throvn u]) to oppose the enenu : but on 
lijeir approa{ h tiie American tioops fled with pre- 
cipitation, ^'^'ashington rode tow arc's tlie lines, 
and made every exertion to pre\entt'ue disgraceful 
flight. Such was the state of his mind at this mo- 
ment, that he turned his horse towards the advan- 
cing enemy, apparently with tlie intention of rusli- 
ing upon death. His aids now seized the bridle of 
his horse and rescued him from destruction. New 
York was, on the same day. September the 15th, 
evacuated. In October he reti-eated to the White 
Plains, where, on the 28th, a considerable action 
took place, in which the Americans were overpow^- 
ered. After the loss of forts Washington anc? Lee, 
he passed into New -Jersey in Noveml?er, and was 
pursued by a triumphant and numerous army. His 
army did not amount to three tliousand, and it was 
daily diminishing: liis men, as the winter commen- 
ged, were barefooted and almost naked, destitute 
of tents and of utensils, w ith w hich to dress their 
scanty provisions: and every circumstance tended 
to fill the mind with despondance. But general 
Washington was nndismayed and firm. He .showed 
himself to his enfeebled army with a serene and 
nnembari'assed countenance, and they were inspi- 
red with the resolution of tlieir commander. On 
the 8th of December he was obliged to cross the 
Delaware: but he had the precaution to secure the 
boats for seventy miles npon the river. While the 



WAS^ttlNGTON. 300 

Britisli were waiting for tlie ice to afford them a 
passage^ as his own army had been reinforced by 
several thousand men, he formed the resolution of 
carrying the cantonments of the enemy by surprise. 
On the night of tlie 25th of December, lie crossed 
the river nine miles above Trenton, in a storm of 
snow mingled with hail and rain, with about two 
thousand four hundred men. Two other detach- 
ments were unable to effect a passage. In tlic 
morning, precisely at eight o'clock, he surprised 
Trenton, and took 1000 Hessians prisoners, 1000 
stand of arms, and six field pieces. Twenty of the 
enemy were killed, and of the Americans, two 
were killed, and tvv o frozen to death; and one officer 
and four privates wounded. On the same day he 
recrossed the Delaware, with the fruits of his 
enterprise; but in two or three days passed again 
into New Jersey, and concentrated , his forces, 
amounting to five thousand, at Trenton. On the 
approach of a superior enemy under Cornwallis, 
January 2, 1777, he drew up his men behind As- 
sumpinck creek. He expected an attack in the 
morning, which would probably result in a ruinous 
(Icfeat. At this moment, when it was hazardous, 
if not impracticable, to return into Pennsylvania, 
be formed the resolution of getting into the rear 
of tlie enemy, and thus stop them in tlieir progress 
towards Pliiladelphia. In the night he silently de- 
camped, taking a circuitous route througli Allen- 
town to Princeton. A sudden change of tlie weath- 
er to severe cold, rendered tlie roads favouralile 
for his march. About sunrise his van met a Bri= 
tish detachment on its way to join Cornwallis, and 
was defeated by it; but as he came up he exposed 
himself to every danger, and gained a victory. 
With 300 prisoners he tlien entered Princeton. 
During this march many of his soldiers were with- 
out shoes, and their feet left the marks of blood 
upon tiie frozen ground. This hardship and tlicir 



31g WASHINGTON. 

want of repose, induced him to lead his army to a 
place of security on the road to Morristown. 
Cornwalliy in the morning hroke up his camp, and 
alarmed for his stores at Brunswick, urged the 
pursuit. Thus the military genius of the American 
commander, under the hlessing of divine I'rovi- 
dence, rescued Philadelphia from tlie threatened 
danger, obliged, the enemy, Avhich had overspread 
New-Jciscy, to return to the neighborhood of 
New- York, and revived tlie desponding s])irit of 
his country. Having accomplished these objects, 
he retired to Morristown, Avliere he caused Iiis 
whole army to be inoculated with the small pox> 
and thus was freed from the apprehension of a ca- 
lamity, which miglit impede bis operations during 
the next campaign. 

On the last of May, he removed his army to Mid- 
dlebrook, about ten miles from Brunswick, vvhere 
he fortified himself very strongly. An ineffectual 
attempt was made by sir William Howe to draw 
him from his position b}^ marching towards Phila- 
delphia; but after Howe's return to New York, he 
mo^ed towards the Hudson in order to defend the 
passes in the mountains, in the expectation that a 
junction with Burgoyne, who was then upon the 
lakes, would be attempted. x4fterthe British gen- 
eral sailed from New York and enterci' tlic CTies- 
apeake in Angust. general Washington marched 
inimediately for the defence of Pliiladelphia. On 
the 1 1th of September he was defeated at Brandy- 
wine, with tlie loss of nine hundred in killed and 
Vvounded. A few days afterwards, as he was pur- 
sned, he turned upon the enemy, determined lipon 
another engagement: but a heavy rain so damaged 
the arms ami ammunition, that he was un(:er the 
absolute necessity of again retreating. Phila el- 
phia was entered by Cornwaliis on the 26th of Sep- 
tember, On the 4lh of October, the Aniei ican 
commander made a well planned attack npon the 



V/ASHINGTON, Sll 

British eamp at Germaiitown; but in consequence 
of the darkness of the moruiug, and the imperfect 
discipline of his troops, it terminated in the loss 
of 1200 men in killed, wounded and prisoners. In 
December he went into winter quarters at Valley 
Forge, on the west side of the Schuylkill, between 
twenty and thirty miles from Phila^'elphia. Here 
his army was in the greatest distress for want of 
provisions, and he was reduced to the necessity of 
sending out parties to seize what they could find. 
About the same time a combination was formed to 
remove the commander in chief, and to appoint in 
his place general Gates, whose successes of late 
had given liim a high reputation Bat the name of 
Washington was too dear to the gi'eat body of A- 
mcricans to admit of such a change. Notwith- 
standing the discordant materials, of which his 
army was composed, there was something in his 
character, which enabled him to attach both his 
officers and soldiers so strongly to him, that no 
distress could weaken their affection, nor impair 
the veneration, in which he was generally held. 
Without this attachment to him the army must 
have been dissolved. General Conway, who was 
concerned in this faction, being wounded in a duel 
with general Cadwaladcr, and thinking his wound 
mortal, wrote to general Washington, *^you are, 
in my eye.s, the great and good man." On the 1st 
of February, 1778, there were about four thousand 
men in camp unfit for duty for want of clothes. — 
Of tiiese scarcely a man had apair of shoes. The 
liospitals also were filled with the sick. At this time 
the enemy, if they had marched out of tlieir win- 
ter quarters, would easily have dispersed the Ame- 
rican army. The apprehension of the approach of 
a French fleet, inducing the British to concentrate 
their forces, when they evacuated Philadelphia on 
the 17th of June, and marched towards New- York, 
■general Washington foilovved them. Contrary to 



SIS WASHINGTON. 

the advice of a council, he engaged in the battle oF 
Monmouth, on the 28th. the result of which made 
an impression favo^iiable to tl^e cause of America. 
He sh^pt in his cloak on the field of battle, intend- 
ing to renew the attack the next morning, but at 
midnight the British marched off in such silence, 
as not to be discovered. Their loss in killed was 
about three hundi*ed, and that of the Americans 
sixty nine. • 

As the campaign now closed in the middle states, 
the American army went into w inter quarters in 
the neighborhood of the highlands upon the Hud- 
son. Tlius after the vicissitudes of two years both 
armies were biought back to tlie point'; ft'^m which 
they set out. During the year 1779, general Wash- 
ington remained in the neighborhood of Nicw lork. 
In January, 1780, in a winter memorable for its 
severity, his utmost exertions were necessary to 
save tlic army from dissolution. The sohilcrs in 
general submitted witli heroic patience to the want 
of provisions and clothes. At one time they eat 
every kind of horse food but hay. Their sufferings at 
length were so great, that in March two of the Con- 
necticut regiments mutinied, but the mutiny was 
suppressed and the ringleaders secured. In Sep- 
tember tlie treachery of Arnold was detected. In 
the winter of 1781, such were again the privations 
of the army, that a part of tlic Penusylvania Ihic 
revolted, and mar'lied home. Such however was 
still their patriotism, that they delivered some Brit- 
ish emissaries to general Wayne, who Imnged them 
as spies. Committing the defence of the posts on 
the Hudson to general Heath, general Washiugton 
in August marched with count Rochambeau for the 
Chesapeake, to co-operate with the French fleet 
there. The siege of Yorktown commenced on the 
28t]i of September, and on the 19th of October he 
reduced Corn.wallis to the necessity of surrender- 
rag ^Yith upwards of seven thousand men^ to the 



WASHINGTON. S13 

combined armies of America and France.— 
The day after the capitulation lie orderea, that 
those, who were under arrest, should be pardoned, 
4ind that divine service in acknowledgment of the 
interposition of Providence should be performed in 
all the brigades and divisions. ' This e\ent filled 
America with joy and was the means of terminating 
the war. 

Few events of importance took place in 1783,. 
On the 25th November, 1783, New York was evac- 
uated by the Biitish, and he entered it accompani- 
ed by governor Clinton and many respectable citi- 
zens. On the 19th of April a cessation of hostilities 
was proclaimed. On the 4th of December, lie look 
his farewell of liis brave comrades in arms. At 
noon t!ie principal officers of the army assembled 
at Frances' tavern, and their beloved commander 
soon entered the room. H?s emotions were too 
;^trong to be concealed. Filling a glass w ith wine, 
he turned to them and said *' with a heart full of 
love and gratitude, I now take leave of you| I most 
devoutly wish that your latter days may be as 
prosperous and Irnppy us your former ones have 
been glorious and honourable.'' Having drank, he 
added, ** I cannot come to each of you to take my 
leave, but shall be obliged to you if each of you will 
come and take me by the,hand." General Knox, 
being nearest, turned to him. Incapable of utter- 
ance, general Wasliington grasped his hap.d, and 
embraced him. In the most affectionate manner he 
took his leave of each succeeding Oillcer. In every 
eye wastlie tear of digniiied sensibility, and not a 
word was articulated to interrupt the silence and 
tenderness of the scene. Ye men, wIjo delight in 
blood, slaves of ambition! When your work of car- 
nage was finished, could you thus part with your 
companions in crime? Leaving tlie room, general 
Washington passed through the corps of light in- 
iantry and walked to Whitehall, where a bartce 



314 WASHINGTON. 

waited to carry him to Powles' Hook. The wholt 
company followed in mute procession with dejected 
countenances. When he entered the harge he turn- 
od to them, and waving his hat bade them a silent 
adieu, receiving from them tlie same last affection- 
ate compliment. On the 23d of December he re- 
signed his commission to congress, then assembled 
at Annapolis. Here the expressions of the grati- 
tude of his countrymen in affectionate addresses 
poured in upon him, and he received every testi- 
mony of respect and veneration. 

In 1787, he was persuaded to take a seat in the 
convention which formed the present constitution 
of the United States. In 1789, he was unanimous- 
ly elected president of the United States. In April 
he left Mount Vernon to proceed to New York^ 
and to enter on the duties of his oftice. He every 
where received testimonies of respect and love. 
On the 13th of April he arrived at New York, and 
he was inaugurated first president of tbe United 
States. At the close of his first term of four 
years, he prepared a valedictory address to the 
American people, anxious to return again to the 
scenes of domestic life; but the earnest entreaties 
of his friends, and the peculiar situation of his 
country, induced him to be a candidate for a se- 
cond election. At the expiration of his second 
term, he determined irrevocably to withdraw to 
the shades of private life. He published in Sep- 
tember, 1796, his farewell address to the people of 
the United States, which ought to be engraven upon 
the hearts of his countrymen. 

He then retired to Mount Vernon, giving to the 
world an example, most humiliating to its empe- 
rors and kings; the example of a man, voluntarily 
disrobing himself of the highest authority, and 
returning to private life, with a character, liaving 
iipon it no stain of ambition, of covetousness, of 
profusion, of luxury, of oppression., or of inju?- 
kice- 



WASHINGTON. 315- 

In if 98, an army was raised, and he was ap- 
pointed commander in chief. 

In December 13, 1799, while attending to some 
improvements u})on his estate, he was exposed to 
a light rain, which wetted his neck and hair. Un- 
apprehensive of danger, he passed tlie afternoon in 
his usuaLmanner, hut at niglit he w^as seized Vvith 
an inflammatory affection of the windpipe. The 
disease commenced with a violent ague, accom])?„~ 
:»iied with some pain and a sense of stricUirc in the 
throat, a coiigl!, and a diflicult deglutition, wiilch 
soon succeeded by fever and a quick and laborious 
respiration. About twelve or fourteen ounces of 
blood were taken from him. In the morning hia 
family physician, doctor Craik, was sent for: but 
the utmost exertions of medical skill were applied 
In vain. To his friehd and physician who sat on 
his bed, and took his head in his lap, he said, with 
difficulty, *^ Doctor I am dying, and have been 
dying for a long time; but I am not afraid to die.^* 
Eespiration became more and more protracted and 
imperfect, until half past eleven on Saturday night, 
wlien, retaining the full possession of his intellect^ 
he expired without a struggle. Thus, on the 14tii 
of December, 1799, in tbe sixty-eighth year of 
his age, died the father of his country, "the man 
first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of 
his fellow-citizens," This event spread a gloom 
over the country, and the tears of America pro^ 
claimed the services and virtues of the hero and 
sage, and exhibited a people not insensible to his 
worth. 

General Wasliington was rather above the com- 
mon stature; his frame was robust, and his consti- 
stution vigorous. His exterior created in the be- 
holder the idea of strength united with manly 
gracefulness. His eyes were of a grey colour, 
and his complexion light. His manners were 
rather reserved than free. His person and whole 



'U^ WAYNE. 

tleportmciit cxliibited an unaffected and indescrifaa- 
Ijle dignity, nnniinglcd with lianghtincss, of wliich 
all who r.pproached him were sensible. The at- 
tachment of those wlio possessed his friendship wag 
ardent, but always respectful. His temper was 
humane, benevolent, and conciliatory; but there 
v/as a quickness in his sensibility to anything ap- 
piircnlly offensive, which experience had taught 
iiim to watch and correct. 

He conducted l!ie war with that consummate 
])rudence and wisdom, which the situation of his 
country and the state of his army demanded. He 
also possessed a firmness of resolution, wliich nei- 
ther dangers nor difficulties could shake. 

WAYi>,E, Anthony, a rnajor-general in the 
American army, occupies a conspicuous station 
among the heroes and patriots of the American 
revolution. He was borsi in the year 1745, ii) 
Chester county, in the state, then colony of Fenn- 
s^lvaiiia. Bis father, who was a respectable farm- 
er, was n}any years a representative for tlie county 
of Chester, in the general assembly, before the 
revolution. His grandfather, who was distin- 
griished for Iiis attachment to the principles of 
liberty, bore a captain's commission under king 
William, at tlie battle of the Boyne. Anthony 
Wayne succeeded his father as a reprcsentati\e for 
ihc county of Cltcstei*, in the year 1773: and from 
i>is first appearance in ]>ub]ic life, distinguished 
himself as afjrmand decided patriot. He opposed, 
with much ability, tlie ujijust demands of the moth- 
er cotnitry, and in connexion with some gentlemen 
of distinguished talents, was of material service in 
prepari!)g the way for the firm and decisive part 
which Pennsylvania took in the general contest. 

in 17 75, he was appointed to the command of a 
regiment, which his character enabled him to raise 
in afew^ weeks, in his native county. In the same 
veur, he was detached under general Tuoinps^jn 



WAYNE. Sir 

into Canatla. In the defeat which followed, in 
which general Thompson was made a prisoner, 
colonel Wayne, though wounded, displayed great 
gallantry and good conduct, in collecting and 
bringing off, the scattered and broken bodies of 
troops. 

In the campaign of 1776, he served under gene- 
ral Grates, at Ticonderoga, and was highly esteem- 
ed by that officer for both his bravery and skill as 
an engineer. At tlie close of that campaign he was 
created a brigadier-general. 

At t'le battle of Brandywinc, he behaved with 
liis usual bravery, and for a long time opposed the 
progress of the enemy at Chad's ford. In this ac- 
tion, the inferiority of the Americans in numbers, 
discipline and arms, gave them little chance of suc- 
cess; but the peculiar situation of the public mind 
was supposed to require a battle to be risked; the 
ground v,as bravely disputed, and tlie action was 
not considered as decisive. The spirits of the 
troops were preserved by a belief that the loss of 
the enemy had equalled their own. As it was the 
intention of the American commander in chief to 
hazard another action on the first favourable op- 
portunity that should offer, general Wayne was 
detached with his division, to harrass the enemy 
hy every means in his power. The British troops 
were encamped at Tredyffrin, and general Wayne 
was stationed about three miles in the rear of their 
left wing, near the Paoli tavern, and from the pre- 
cautions he had taken, he considered himself se- 
cure; but about eleven o'clock, on the night of the 
'iOth September, major-general Gray, having driv- 
en in his pickets, suddenly attacked him with fixed 
bayonets. Wayne, unable to withstand the supe- 
rior number of his assailants, was obliged to re- 
treat; but formed again at a small distance, having 
lost al)out 150 killed and wounded. As blame was 
attached, by some of the officers of the army, to 
Bb 2 



31S WAYNE. 

general Wayne, for allowing himself to be puri)ris- 
e<l in this iiiainier, he (Jeniandcd a rouri mai tial, 
which, after examining the necessai-y evidence, 
dec lared that lie had done every thing to be expec- 
tx^d from an active, brave, and vigilant olhcer; and 
acquitted him with honour. . 

A neat marble monnment has been recently 
erected on the balth^ ground, to tlie memory of the 
gallant men who fell on the night of the 2o'th Sep- 
tember, 1777.. 

Shortly after was fought the battle of German- 
town, in which lie greatly signalized himself by 
his s])irited manner of leading his men into action. 
In this action, he had one horse shot under hijn, 
and another as he was mounting: and at the same 
instant, received slight wounds in the left foot and 
left haiid. 

In all councils of war, general Wayne was dis- 
tinguished for supporting the most energetic and 
decisive measures. In the one previous to the bat- 
tle of Monmouth, he and general Cadwalader were 
the ojily ofticers decidedly in favour of attacking 
the British army. Tlie American officers ai'esaid 
to ha^e been influenced by the o])inions of tlie Eu- 
i'opeans. The baion de Steuben, and generals Lee 
anc? Du Portail, whose military skill wan in high 
estimation, had warirJy opposed an engagement as 
too hazardous. But general Washington, whose 
r)])inion was in favour of an engagement, made 
;such disposition as would be most likely to lead to 
It In that action, so honourable to the American 
arms, general Yv^ayne was conspicuous in the ar- 
dour of his iittack. General Washington, in his 
letter to congress, observes, "♦Were I to conclude 
my account of this day's trai\sartions without ex- 
pressing my obligations to the oliicers of the army 
in general, I sliould do injustice to their merit, and 
violence to my own feelings. Tliey seer/ied to vie 
with each other in manifesting their zeal and bra- 



WAYNE. 319 

very. Tiie rataloguo of those who distinguished 
themselves, is too long to a«lmit of pai't'K ularizing 
individuals. I cannot iiowever, ibihear mention- 
ing !»rigadier-gei>eral Wayne, whose good conduct 
and bravery, tliroughout the wlioleaction, deserves 
particular commencfation." 

In July. 1779, the Amej'iran commander in chief 
having conceived a design of attacking the strong 
post of Stony Point, rommitted the ciiarge of this 
enterprise to general Wayne. The garrison was 
composed of 600 men. priniipally highlanders, 
co'nmanded by lieutenant-colonel Johnson. Stony 
Point is a considerable height, the base of wliich, 
on the one side, is \\ aslied by the Hudson river, 
and on th.c otiier is foveredby a morass, over wlii-h 
there is hut one crossing ])la('C On the top of this 
hill was tlie fort: formidable batteries of lieavy ar- 
tillery were planted on it, in front of which, breast 
works were advanced and half way down, was a 
double row of abattis. The batteries commanded 
the beach and the crossing place ofthe morass. 
Several vessels of war were also in the river, whose 
guns commanded the foot of the itill. At noon, 
on the 15th of July, general Wayne marched from 
Sandy Beach, and arrived at eight o'clock in the 
exening, within a mile and a half of the fort, where 
he made the necessary dis])osition for the assault. 
After reconnoitering the situation of the enemy, at 
half past eleven, he led his troops with unloaded 
muskets and fixed bayonets, and without firing a 
single gun. completely carried the foi*t and ivsade 
the garrison, amounting to 543, {the rest being 
killed) prisoners In the attack, while at the head 
of Febiger's regiment, general Wa>ne received a 
wound in t!ie head with a musket-ball, which, in« 
the heat of the conflict, supposing mortal, and 
anxious to expire in the lap of glory, he called to his 
aids to carry him {V)rvvard and let him die in the 
fort. The resistance^ on the pai't of the garrison^ 



32© WAYXE. 

was very spiritod. Out of tlic foi'lorn hope of 20 
men- commanded by lieutenant Gibbon, whose bu- 
siness it was to remove the abattis, 17 were killed. 
For the brave prudent, and soldier-like conduc 
displayed in this achievement, the congress pre- 
sented gener-al Wayne a gold medal emblematic of 
the action. 

Immv^diate] V after the surrender of Stoney Point, 
general Wayne transmitted to the commander in 
ddef, the following laconic letter: 

- Stoney FoinU July 16, 1779. 

*-2 o'clock, A.M. 
**Dear General — The fort and garrison, with 
Golonel Johnson, are ours; our officers and men 
behaved like men determined to* be free. 
'* Yours most sincerely, 

^VANTHONY WAYNE. 
"■'Gex. Washixgtox.*' 

In the campaign of 1781, in which lord Corn- 
wallis, and a British army were obliged to surren- 
der prisoners of war, lie bore a conspicuous part. 
His presence of mind never failed him in the most 
critical situations. Of this he gave an eminent ex- 
ample on tlic James River. Having been deceived 
by some false information, into a belief that the 
British army had passed the river, leaving but the 
rearguard behind, he hastened to attack the latter 
before it should also have effected its passage; but 
on pushing througl) a morass and wood, instead of 
the rear guard, he found the whole British army 
drawn up close to him. His situation did not ad- 
mit of a moment's deliberation. Conceiving the 
boldest to he the safest measure, he immediately 
led his small detachment, not exceeding 800 men, 
to the cliarge. and after a short, but very smart 
and close firing, in wliich he lost 118 of his men. he 
succeeded in bringing off the rest under cover of 
the wood. Lord Cornwallis, suspecting the at- 



WAYNE. 321 

tack to be a feint, in order to draw him into an am- 
bnscade, would not permit his troops to pursue. 

The enemy having made a considerable head in 
Georgia, Wayne was dispatched by general Wasli- 
ington to take command of tlie forces in that state, 
and, after some sanguinary engagements, succeed- 
ed in establishing security and order. For his 
services in tliat state the legislature presented him 
with a valuable farm. 

On the peace, which followed shortly after, he 
retired to ])rivate life; but in 1789, we find him a 
member of the Pennsylvania convention, and one 
of those in favour of the present federal constitu- 
tion of the United States. 

In the year 1792^ he was appointed to succeed 
general St. Clair, who had resigned the command 
of tlie army engaged against the Indians, on our 
western frontier. Wayne formed an encampment 
at Pittsburgh, and such exemplary discipline was 
Introduced among tlie new troops, that, on their 
advance into the Indian country, they appeared 
like veterans. 

The Indians had collected in great numbers, and 
it was necessary not only to rout them, but to oc- 
cupy their country by a chain of posts, that should, 
for the future, check tiieir predatory incursions. 
Pursuing this regular ai^l systematic mode of ad- 
vance, the autumn of 1793. found genWal Wayne 
with his army, at a post in the wilderness, called 
Greensville, about six miles in advance of fort 
Jefferson, where he determined to encamp for the 
winter, in order to make the necessary arrange- 
ments for opening the campaign to effect early in 
the following spring. After fortifying his camp, 
he took possession of the ground on which the 
Americans had been defeated in 1791, which he 
fortified also, and called the work fort Recovery* 
Here he piously collected, and, with the honours 
of wai*. interred the bones of the unfortunate al- 



52^ WAYNE. 

though gallant victims of the 4th November, 1791. 
This situation of the army, menacing the Indian 
villages, eflectually ])rc\e!ited any attack on tlia 
vyhite scttleinents. The impossibility of procu 
ring the necessary sup])lies prevented the march 
of the troops till the summer. On the 8th of Au- 
gust, the army arrived at the junction of the ri- 
vers An Glaize and Miami of the Lakes, where 
they erected works for the protection of the stores. 
About thirty miles from this place, the British had 
formed a post, in the vicinity of which the Indians 
had assembled their whole* force. On the loth 
ihe army again advanced down the Miami, and 
on tlie 18th arrived at the Rapids. On the fol- 
lowing day they erected some works, for the pro- 
tection of the baggage. The situation of the ene- 
my was reconnoitered, and they were found posted 
in a thick wood, in the rear of the British fort. 
On the 20th the army advanced to the attack. The 
Miami covered the right Hank, and on the left were 
the mounted volunteers, commanded hy general 
Todd. After marching about five miles, major 
Price, who led the advance, received so heavy a 
fire from tiic Indians, who were stationed behind 
trees, that he was compelled to fall hack. The 
enemy had occupied a wood in front of tiie British 
fort, which, from the quantity of fallen timber, 
could not be entered % the liorse. The legion w as 
immediately ordered to advance with trailed arms, 
and rouse them from their covert; the cavalry un- 
der captain Campbell, were directed to pass be- 
tween the Indians arid the river, while the volun- 
teers, led by general Scott, made a circuit to turn 
their flank. So rapid, however, w as the charge of 
the legion, that before the rest of tlie army could get 
into action, the enemy were completely routed^ 
and driven through the woods for more than tN\o 
miles, and the troops halted within gun-shot of the 
British fort. All the Indians' bouses, and corn 



WAYNE. 1J23 

fields were destroyed. In this decisive action, the 
whole loss of general Wayne's army, in killed and 
woiindeii, amounted only to one hnndred and seven 
men. As liostilities continued on the part of the 
Indians, their whole country was laid waste, and 
forts established, which effectually prevented their 
return. 

The success of tliis engagement destroyed the 
enemies' power; and, in the following year, gene- 
ral Wayne concluded a definitive treaty of peace 
with them. 

A life of peril and glory was terminated in De- 
cember, 1796. He had shielded his country from 
the murderous tomahawk of the savage. He had 
establislied lier boundaries. He had forced her 
enemies to sue for her protection. He beheld her 
triumphant, rich in arts, and potent in arms, Wijat 
more could his patriotic spirit wish to see - He 
died in a hut at Presque Isle, aged about fifty-one 
years, and was buried on the shore of Lake Erie. 

A few years since his bones were taken up by 
his son, Isaac Wayn^, Esq. and entombed in his 
native county; and by direction of the Pennsylva- 
nia State Society of the Cincinnati, an elegant 
monument was erected. It is to be seen within the 
cemetry of St. David's church, situated in Ches- 
ter county. It is constructed of white marble, 
of the most correct symmetry and beauty. 

The South front exhibits the following inscrip- 
tion : 

In honour of the distinguished 

Military services of 

Major General 

ANTHONY WAYNE, 

And as an affectionate tribute 

of respect to his memory, 
This stone was erected, by his 
companions in arms, 

THE PENNSYXVANIA STATE SOCIET-5 



rm YATES. 

OF THE CINCINNATI, 

July 4tli, A. D. 1809, 

Thirty fourth anniversary of 

The Independence of 

THE UNITED STATES OE AMERICA; 

An event which constitutes 

the most 

Appropriate eulogium of an American 

SOEDIER AND PATRIOT. 

The north front exhihits the follo^ving inscrip- 
tion: 

Major General 

ANTHONY WAYNE, 

Was horn at Wayneshorough, 

in Chester county. 

State of Pennsylvania, 

A. D. 1745. 

After a life of honour and usefulness.. 

He died in Decemher, 1796, 

at a military post 

On tlie shore of Lake Erie, 

Commander in chief of tlie army of 

THE UNITED STATES. 

His military achievements 

are consecrated 

In the history of his country, 

and in 

The hearts of liis countrymen. 

His remains 

Are here deposited. 

YATES, Robert, was horn on the 27th day of 

January, 1738, in the city of Schenectady, in the 

state of Nev/ York. At tlie age of sixteen he was 

sent hy his parents to the city of New York, w here 

he received a classical education, and afterwards 

studied the law^ with William Livingston, Esq. a 

celebrated barrister in that metropolis. On the 

completion of his studies, he was admitted to the 

bar. and soon after fixed his residence in the city 



TATE Be 3£5 

of Albany, where in due time^ he received tlie de- 
agrees of solicitor and counsellor in the court of 
chancery. He soon hecame eminent in Iiis pro- 
iession, and on account of his incorruptible integ- 
rity, was known by the appellation of the Honest 
Lawijer, At tlie age of twenty-seven, he mriiTied 
Miss Jane Van Ness. On the prospect of a rup- 
ture between this country and Great Britain, his 
open and avo^ved p!iiici])les as a whig, brought 
aim into political notice, and several well written 
essays, which were the productions of his pen, con- 
tributed, in no small degree, to establish his repu- 
tation as a writer, in defence of the rights and lib- 
erties of his country. He liad already held a seat 
as a member of the corporation of the city of Alba- 
ny, and as attorney and counsel to that board; and 
he was soon after a|)])ointcd a member of tlie com- 
mittee of piihlic safely, a body of men wlio v «^rr^ h^^ 
vested with almost inquisitorial powers, ; 
had justly become the dread and scourge ui t>ui(. 
class of men called tories. By the exertions of Mr* 
Yates^ the proceedings of that tribunal were tem- 
pered with moderation, and the patriotic zeal of 
the community, confined within its proper and le- 
gitimate sphere of action. We Bud him not long 
afterwards, holding a seat in the provincial con- 
gress of his own state, and, during the recess of 
that body, performing tlie complicated and ardu- 
ous duties of cJiairman of a committee for the orga- 
nization and direction of ?ji?7?'frfrt/ operations against 
the common enemy. In the year 1777, the constitu- 
tion of New York v;as adopted, and Mr. Yates v/as 
an active and distinguished member of the conven- 
tion that framed that instrument* During the same 
year he received, Vvithout solicitation, the appoint- 
ment of a judge of the supreme court, at a time 
^vhen an extensive and lucrative practice as a law- 
yer, held out to him strong intkicements to decline 
Its acceptance. Rca'ardless, however, of private 



626 YATES, 

interest, lie entered upon the duties of thai oliice, 
rendered iit the same time peculiarly delicate and 
dangerous. He sat upon the bench, as a writer 
has expressed it, "with a halter about his neck,-' 
exposed to punishment as a 7'ebelf had our efforts 
for emancipation proved abortive: nor were these 
the least of his dangers. For in counties ravaged 
or possessed by the enemy, or by secret domestic 
foes watching every opportunity to ruin or betray 
their country, he was sometimes obliged to hold 
his courts. But no dangers could appal nor fears 
deter him, from a faithful and honest performance 
of the functions of his office. He was particularly 
distinguished for his impartiality, in the trials of 
state criminals; and he was not unfrecpiently obli- 
ged to abate the intemperate zeal or ill-judged pa- 
triotism of the juries, who were to decide upon the 
late of unfortunate prisoners. On one occasion, 
he sent a jury from the bar four times successively, 
to reconsider a verdict of conviction which they 
had pronounced most unwarrantably against the 
accused, merely because they suspected he was a 
tory^ though without any proof tbat could author- 
ise the verdict. As the accused had become very 
obnoxious to the great body of the whigs, the le- 
gislature were inflamed and seriously contempla- 
ted calling Judge Yates before them to ansvv er for 
his conduct. But he was alike indifferent to cen- 
sure or applause in the faithful and independent 
exercise of his judicial duties, and the legislature, 
at length, prudently dropped the affair. His sala- 
ry during the war, was very small, and hardly 
sufficient for the support of himself and family. 
Indeed before the scale of depreciation of conti- 
nental money had been settled, he received one 
years' salary in that money, at its nominal value, 
the whole of which was just sufficient (as he hu- 
mourously observed) '^ to purchase a pound oL 
green tea for his wife.*' He was often ur^cd t^- 



YATKS. 32; 

liiiite %vith some of Iiis friends in speculating on 
forfeited estates during the war, by which he might 
easily have enriched himself, and Ids connexions, 
without censure or suspicion; and althougli sucIj 
speculations wxre common, yet he would not con- 
sent to become wealtliy npon the ruin of others* 
^*No,'' said he, *^I will sooner die a beggar than 
own a foot of land acquired by such means." In 
September, 1776, George Cliiiton, afterwards vice 
president of the United States, anxious to receive 
the co-operation of judge Yates, in certain mea- 
sures, then deemed important and necessar^^ ad- 
dressed hira a letter, of which the following is an 
extract: ^^wc have, at last, arrived at a most iiii- 
portant crisis, which will eitlicr secure the inde- 
pendence of our country, or determine that she 
shall still remain in a state of vassalage to Great 
Britain, I know your sentiments on this subject, 
and I am extremely happy to find that they agree 
so exactly with mine. But as we are called upon 
to act as well as to thpik, your talents and exer- 
tions in the common cause cannot be spared." 
After the conclusion of the revolutionary war, 
he w as chosen, together with general Hamilton 
and chancellor Lansing, to repi'esent his native 
state in the convention that formed the constitsi- 
iion of the United States: and to his labours in 
that convention we are indebted for the preserva- 
tion of some of the most important debates tliat ever 
distinguislied any age or country. He was also a 
member of tlie convention subsequently held in his 
native state, to whom tliat constitution was sub- 
mitted for adoption and ratification. His politi- 
cal opinions were open and unreserved. He was 
opposed to a consolidated national government, 
and friendly to a confederation of the states, pre- 
serving their integrity and equality as such. Al- 
though the form of government eventually adopt- 
odo was not, in all its parts, agreeable to his views 



329 YATES. 

and wishes, still, in all his discussions, and cspe* 
cially in liis judicial capacity, he deemed it a sa- 
cred duty to inculcate entire submission to^ and 
re^ erence for, that constitution. In the first cliarge 
which he delivered to a grand jury, immediately 
after its adoption, he used the following language: 
*-the proposed Ibrm of government for the union, 
lias at length received the sanction of so many of 
(he states, as to r.ialvc it the swpreme Icnv of the land, 
and it is not, therefore, any longer a question 
wiiether or not its provisions are such as tliey 
ought to be, in all their diiferent branches. We, 
as good citizens, are hound implicitly to obey them, 
for the united wisdom of America has sanctioned 
and confirmed the act, and it ^vould be little short 
of treason against the republic to hesitate in our 
obedience and respect to the constitution of the 
United States of America. Let mc, therefore, eX- 
]iort yoi?, gentlemen, not only in your capacity as 
grand jurors, but in your more durable and equal- 
ly respectable character as citizens, to preserve in- 
violate this charter of our national rights and safe- 
ty; a charter second only in dignity and import- 
ance to tlie dedaration of our independence* We 
have escaped, it is true, by the blessing of divine 
Providence, from the tyranny of a foreign foe, 
but let us now be equally watcltful in guarding 
against worse and far more dangerous enemies — 
■ domestic Oroils and intestine dirlsions.^^ Soon after 
this period he filled tlic important trust of com- 
missioner, to treat with tlie states of Massacliu- 
,setts and Connecticut, on tlie subject of territory, 
and to settle certain claims of his native state, 
against the state of Vermont. In 1790, he receiv- 
ed the appointment of chief justice of the state of 
New York, and Vv as twice supported for the office 
of go^ ernor. to which latter ollice he was, on one 
oc! asion, elected by a majority of votes; but, on ac- 
count of some real or supposed inaccuracy in som- 



YATES. S9.9 

of tlic reiunis, lie tliil not receive tlic certificate of 
his election. 

Ill Jaimary, 1798, having completed his sixtieth 
year, and with it, the constitutional term of his 
oliice, he retired from the hench ofwliich for twen- 
ty -one years he had been its ornament and pride: 
and resumed the practice of the law. So highly 
did the legislature estimate his former services and 
usefulness, that it was proposed in that body to fix 
an annual allowance or stipend on him for life, 
and the pro])osition actually passed the senate, but 
was laid aside in the assembly, as being supposed 
to savour too much of the monarchical regulation 
called 2f(^nsions. Determined, however, to provide 
for an old and faithful public servant, who liad 
worn out his better days for the good of his coun- 
try, the legislature ai)p()intcd him a commissioner 
to settle disputed titles to lands in the military 
tract, and tiiis appointment he held till nearly the 
close of his life, when the law creating it, ceased by 
its own limitation. On the 9th day of Soptefuber, 
1801, he finished his mortal career, *'full of hon- 
ours and full of years," placing a firm reliance on 
the merits of an atoning Saviour, and the goodness 
of a merciful God. He hft a widow and four chil- 
dren, two of whom only are now living, a son and 
daughter; the former John V. N. Yates, Esquire, 
present secretary of state, of the state of New- York, 

Chief Justice Y'ates died poor. IJc had always 
been indifferent to his own private interest foi- his 
benevolent an<l patriotic feelings, could not be reg- 
nlatetl nor restrained by the cold calculations of 
avarice or gain. No man was more esteemed than 
himself. He never had, it is believed, in the wh{>ic 
course of his life, a personal enemy, and the tears 
of the widow, the orphan, tlie destitute and oppres- 
sed, followed him to his grave. He was emphati- 
cally the honest man and the upriglit jiuige. His 
talents were of the higher order, and his mannei^ 
C c 9 



330 YATES. 

were plain, attractive and unassuming. His opin- 
ions at nisi prhis^ were seldom found to be incor- 
rect, and on tlie bench ot* tiie supreme court he was 
distinguished for a clear, discriminating mind, 
that readily arrived at the true merits of the case 
' before him. It may be safely affirmed, that no 
single individual ever filkd so many high and re- 
sponsible stations with greater credit to himself, 
and honour to the state. His memory \\ ill be cher- 
ished as long as virtue is esteemed and talents re- 
spected, and liis epitaph is written in the hearts of 
his fellow -citizens, and in the liistory of his country. 



WASHINGTON'^ FAREWELL ADDRESS, 

TO THE PEOPIiE OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Friends and Fellow Citi^ens^ 

The period for a new election of a citizen, to ad- 
minister the executive government of the United 
States, being not far distant, and the time actually 
ai-rived when your thouglits must be employed in de- 
signating tlie person who is to be clothed with that 
important trust: it appears to me proper, especial- 
ly as it may conduce to a more distinct expression 
of the public voice, that I should now apprise you 
of the resolution I have formed, to decline being 
considered among the number of tltoseoutof wliom 
a choice is to he made. 

I beg you, at the same time, to do me the justice 
to be assured., that this resolution has not been taken 
without a strict regard to all the considerations ap- 
pertaining to the relation whicli hinds a dutiful citi- 
zen to his counti'y* and that, in ^vitlidrawing the ten- 
der of service, whicli silence in my situation might 
im])ly, I am influenced by no diminution of zeal for 
yourfuture interest, no deficiency of giatefiil respect 
for • our past kinc^ncHs: but am sr.ppoi-ted bv a full 
conviction, that the step is compatible with botlu 



AMERICAN BIOGRAPHICAI. DICTIONARY. 331 

The acceptance of, and continnance hitherto in^ 
the office to which your suffrages have twice called 
me, have been a uniform sacrifice of inclination to 
the opinion of duty, and to a deference for what ap- 
peared to he your desire. I constantly hoped, that 
it would have been much earlier in my power, con- 
sistently with motives which I was not at liberty to 
disregard, to return to that retirement from whjc'.i I 
had been reluctantly drawn. The strength of my 
inclination to do this, previous to the last election, 
had even led to the preparation of an address to de- 
clare it to you. But matui c reflection on the then per- 
plexed and critical posture of our affairs wit!i foreign 
nations, and the unanimous advice of persons entitled 
to my confidence, impelled me to abandon the idea. 

I rejoice that the state of your concerns, exter- 
nal as well as internal, no longer renders the pursuit 
of ntclinationincompatiSjle with the sentiment of duty 
or propriety; and am persuaded, whatever partiality 
may be retained for my services, that, in the present 
circumstances of our country, you will not disap- 
prove my determination to retire. 

The impressions with which I first undertook 
the arduous trust, were ex])lained on tlie proper occa- 
sion. In the discharge of this trust, Iwill only say, 
that I have with good intentions contributed towards 
the organization and administration of tiie govern- 
ment, the best exertions of which a very fallible 
judgment was capable. Not unconscious, in the 
cutset, of the inferiority of my (piaiiticationS;, expe- 
rience in my own eyes, perhaps still more in the 
eyes of others, has strengthened the motives to dilil- 
dence of mvoelf : and every day the increasing 
weight of years admonishes me more and more that 
the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it 
will be welcome Satisfied that if any circumstau- 
©es have given peculiar value to my services, they 
were temporary. I have tiie consolation, to believe, 
that wliile choice and prudence invite me to quit 
the political scene, patriotisiu docs uot forbid it. 



3Sg AMERICAN BIOGBAPniCAL DICTIOXAHY. 

In looking forward to the moment Vvhich is intend- 
ed to terminiite tlic career of my public life, my 
feelings tlo not permit nje to suspend the deep iic- 
knowiedgment of tiiat debt of gratitude which 1 owe 
to my beloved country, for t)ie many honours it has 
Gonfei red u])on me: still more for the stedfast confi- 
dence witli which it lias supported me; and foi' the 
op])ortunities 1 have thence enjoyed of manifesting 
my inviolable attachment, by services faithful and 
perseveri'.ig, though in usefulness unequal to my 
zeal. If benefits have resulted to our country from 
these services, let it always be remembered to your 
praise, and as an instructive example in our anna!?, 
that, under circumstances in which the passions, 
agitated in every direction, were liable to mislead; 
amiilst appearances sometimes dubious; vicissitudes 
of fortune often discoui'aging; in situations in which 
not unfref|uently want of success iias countenanced 
the spirit of criticism: tlic constancy of your sup- 
port was the essential prop of i\iQ efforts, and a 
guarantee of the plans bv which tliey were effected. 
Pj-ofoundly penetrated Vvith this idea, I sliall carry 
it wlih mc to my grave, as a strong incitement to 
unceasing vows that Heaven may continue to you 
the choicest tokens of its beneficence; that your 
union and brotherly aiicction may be perpetual! 
tliat tlie free constitution, which is the work of yor*r 
hands may be sacredly maintained^ that its admini- 
stration, in every departmeiit, may be stamped with 
wisdom and virtue, that, in line, the happiness of 
the people of these states, under the auspices of 
Heaven, may be made complete, by so careful a 
preservation and w prudent a use of liberty, as will 
acquire to them the glory of recommending it to 
the aj)plause, the affection, and the adoption of 
every nation which is yet 'a stranger to it. 

Here, peri^aps I ought to stop. But a solici- 
tude for your v* elfare, which cannot end but with 
my life, and the apprehension of danger, natural to 
that solicitude^ urge me. ou au occasion like iht 



AMERICAN" BIOGRAPHICAL BICTIONARY. 333 

present, to offer to your solemn contemplation, and 
to recommend to your fi-equent review, some senti- 
ments, ^Yllich arc the result of much reflection, of 
iio inconsiderable observation, and which appear 
to me all-important to the permanency of your felici- 
ty as a People. These will be offered to you with 
the more freedom, as you can only see in them the 
disinterested warnings of a parting friend, who 
can possibly have no personal motive to bias his 
counsel. Nor can I forget, as an encouragement 
to it, your indulgent reception of my sentiments on 
a former, and not dissimilar occasion. 

Interwoven as is the love of iibei ty with every lig- 
ament of your hearts, no reconimciulation of mine is 
necessary to fortify or confirm the attachment. 

The unity of Government vvhich constitutes you 
one people, is also now dear to you. It is justly 
so: for it is a main pillar in the edilice of yonr real 
independence, the support of your tranquility at 
home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your 
prosperity; of that very liberty which yon so highly 
prize. But as it is easy to foresee, that from differ- 
ent causes and from different quarters, much pains 
will be taken, many artifices employed, to weaken 
in your minds the conviction of this truth; as this 
is the point in your political fortress against which 
the batteries of internal and external enemies will 
be most constantly and actively (tliough often cov- 
ertly and insidiously) directed, it is of infinite mo- 
ment, that you should properly estimate the im- 
mense value of your national Union, to your col- 
lective and individual happiness; tha,t you should 
cherisli a cordial, habitual, and immoveable attach- 
ment to it; accustoming yourselves to think and 
speak of it as of the Palladium of your political 
safety and prosperity; watching for its preservation 
with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever 
may suggest even a suspicion that it can in any 
event be abandoned- and indignantly frowning 
i^mn the first dawning of every attempt to alienate 



334 AMEHICAN BIOGRAPHIC Ali DICTIOXAKl'r 

any portion of our country from tlic vest, or to en- 
feeble tlic sacred ties which now link together tlir 
varion.s parts. 

P^or this you ha^e every inducement of sympathy 
and interest. Citizens, by birth or choice, of a 
common country, that country has a I'ight to con- 
centrate your affections. The name of American, 
^vliich belongs to you in your national capacity, must 
always exalt the just ])ridc of patriotism, more than 
any appellation derived fi'om local discriminations. 
Witli slight shades of difference, you have the same 
religion, manners, habits and political principles. 
You have, in a common cause, fought and triumphed 
together. Tlic iudcpcndriicc aud liberty you pos- 
sess arc the work of joint councils, and joint efforts; 
of common dangers, sufferings, and successes. 

But these considerations, however powerfully tliey 
address themselves to your sensibility, are greatly 
outweighed by Ijiosc which apply more immediately 
to your interest. Here every portion of our coun- 
try finds tJic most commanding moti\ es for careful- 
ly guarding and preserving the union ol the whole. 

The jfORTM, in an unrestrained intercourse w ith 
the SOUTH, protected by the equal laws of a com- 
mon government, finds in the productions of the lat- 
ter, great additional resources of maritime and com- 
mercial enterprise, and ])recious materials of manu- 
facturing industry. The soitth, in the same inter- 
course benefiting by the agency of the north, sees 
its agriculture grow, and its commerce expand. — 
Turning partly into its ow n channels tlie seamen oi' 
the North, it finds its particular navigation invigo- 
rated: and while it contributes, in different ways, 
to nourisli and increase the general mass of the na- 
tional navigation, it looks forward to the protection 
of a maritime strcngtli, to w hicli itself is unequally 
adapted. Tfie east, in a like intercourse with the 
WEST, already finds, and in the progressive im- 
provement of interior communications, by land and 
watej% will more and more find a valuable vent for 



AMERICAN SIOGRAPIIICAJL DICTIOXAJEIY. 335 

tiic commodities which it hrings from ahroatl, op 
manufactures at home. The >yest deriv es from the 
EAST supplies requisite to its growth and comfort: 
and what is, perhaps, of still greater consequence, 
it must of necessity owe the secure enjoyment of in- 
dispensahlc outlets for its own production, to the 
weight, influence, and the future maritime strength 
of the Atlantic side of the union, directed by an in- 
dissoluble community of interest, as one nation. — 
Any other tenure, by which the west can hold this 
essential advantage, whether derived from its own 
sepatate strength, or from an apostate or unnatural 
comiexion with any foreign power, must be intriji- 
cically precarious, 

Wliiie then every part of our country thus feels 
an immediate and particular interest in union, all 
the parties combined cannot fail to find, in the uni- 
ted mass of means and efforts, greater strength, 
greater i*esource, proportionably greater security 
from external danger, a less frequent intei'ruption of 
their peace by foreign nations. And, what is of in- 
estimable value, tliey must derive from union an ex- 
emption from those Ijroils and Vv ars between them- 
selves, which so frequently afflict neighbouring coiui- 
tries, not tied together by the same government; 
which their own rivalships alone would be suilicicnt 
to produce, but which opposite foreign alliances, at' 
tachments, and intrigues, would stimulate and em- 
bitter. Hence, likewise, they will avoid tlje necessity 
of those overgrown military establishments, which 
under any form of government arc inauspicioiis to 
liberty; and wliicli are to be regarded as particular- 
ly hostile to republican liberty. In this sense it is. 
that your union ought to he considered as a niidn 
prop of your liberty, and that love of the one 
ought to endear to you the preservation of the otijcr. 
These considerations speak a persuasive lan- 
guage to every reflecting and vii-tuous niind, and 
exhibit the continuance oi* the union as a priiuary 
object of patriotic desire Is there a doubt, whether 



336 AMERICAN BIOGRAPHICAX DICTIONARY. 

a common government can embrace so large a 
sphere? Let experience solve it. To listen to 
mere speculation, in such a case, wei"e criminal. 
We are autliorised to hope that a proper organiza- 
tion of the whole, with the auxiliary agency of gov- 
ernments for the respective subdivisions, will aftbrd 
a happy issue to the experiment. 'Tis well wortli 
a fair and full experiment. With such powerful 
and obvious motives to Union, affecting all parts 
of our country, while experience slsall not have de- 
monstrated its impracticability, there will alw ays 
be reason to distrust the patriotism of those, who 
in any quarter may endeavour to weaken its bands. 
In contemplating the causes which may disturb 
our union, it occurs, as a matter of serious concern, 
that any ground sliould have been furnished for cha- 
racterizing parties by geographical discrimina- 
tions; NORTHERN and southern; Atlantic and 
WESTERN, whence designing men may endeavour to 
excite a belief tliat there is a real difference of local 
interests and view s. One of tlie expedients of party 
to acquire influence, within particular districts, is 
to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other dis- 
tricts. You cannot shield yourselves too much 
against the jealousies and heart burnings which 
spring from these misrepresentations; they tend 
to render alien to each otlier those w ho ought to 
he bound together by fraternal alTection. The in- 
liabitan.ts of our western country have lately had a 
useful lesson on this head; tlsey liave seen, in tlie 
negociation by the Executive^ and in tlic unani- 
mous ratification by the Senate, of the treaty w itii 
Spain and in the universal satisfaction at that event 
throughout the United States, a decisive proof how 
nnfounded were the suspicions propagated among 
them, of a policy in the general government, and in 
the Athmtic states, unfriendly to tlieir iiiterest in re- 
gard to the Mississippi. They have been witnesses 
to the formation of two treaties, that w ith Great 
Britain^ and that with Spain, which secure to them 



A.MERICA'N' BIOGEAPSilCAi: DICTIO:N-'aIIY. oSi 

thing they could desire, in respect to our teeign 
relations, towards confirming their prosperi- 
ty. Will it not be their wisdom to rely for the 
preservation of these advantages on the union by 
■which they were procured? Will they not hence- 
forth be deaf to those advisers, if sacii there are^ 
who would sever tliem from their brethren^ and 
connect them with aliens? 

To the efficacy and permanency of your Union, 
a Government for the whole is indispensable. No 
alliances, however strict, between tlse parts, caii 
be an adequate substitute; they must inevitably ex- 
perience the infractions and inti rruptioiis w hich all 
alliances in all times have expericiired. Sensible 
of this momentous truth, you have improved upon 
your first essay, by the adoption of a Constitution 
of Government i)etter calculates! than yaur former 
for an intimate Union, and for the efll( acious man- 
agement of your common concerns. This govern- 
ment, the offspring of our own choice, uninfluenced 
and unawed, adopted upon full investigation and. 
mature deliberation, com])letely free in its princi- 
ples, in the distribution of its powers, uniting secu- 
rity with energy, and containing within itself a 
provision for its own amendment, has a just claim 
to your confidence and your support. Respect for 
its authority, compliance v.ith its laws, acquies- 
cence in its measures, are duties enjoined by the 
fundamentpJ maxims of true liberty. The basis of 
our political systems, is the right of the people to 
make and rJter their constitutions of government. 
But, tlie constitution vvhich at any time exists, till 
elianged by an explicit and authentic act of the 
whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all. Tho 
very idea of the pow er and tlie right of the people to 
establish govcrnmeiit, presupposes the duty of every 
individual to obey the establislied government. 
All obstructions to the execution of the laws, all 
:viiihinations and associations, under whatever 



338 AMERICAN UlOGRAPiiiCAL BICTIOXAlli, 

Ijliiusible ciiaracter, with a real design to direct;, 
control, countei-act, or awe the regular deliberation 
aiid action of the constituted authorities, are destruc- 
tive of this fundamental principle, and of fatal ten- 
deriCy. They serve to organize faction ; to gi\ e it an 
artificial and extraordinary force; to put in the place 
of the delegated will of the nation, the w ill of a party, 
often a small, hut artful and enterprising minority 
of the community: and, according to the alternate 
triumphs of different parties, to make the public ad- 
siiinistration the mirror of the ill-concerted and in- 
congruous projects of faction, rather than the organ 
of consistent and wholesome plans, digested by 
oommon counsels, and modified by mutual interests. 

However combinations or associations of the 
above description may now and then answer popu- 
lar ends, they are likely, iji tine course of time and 
things, to become potent engines, by whicli cunning, 
ambitious and unprincipled men, will be enabled to 
subvert the power of the people, and to usurp for 
themselves the reins of government; destroying af- 
tervvards the very engines which have lifted them 
(o unjust dominion. 

Towards the preservation of your government, 
and t]ie permanency of your present happy state, it 
is requisite, not only ih?d you steadily discounte- 
iiaiice irregular oppositions to its acknowledged au- 
thority, but also tliat you resist with care the spirit of 
innovation upon its principles however specious the 
pretexts. One method of assault may be to effect in 
the forms of the constitution alterations which will 
impair the energy of the system, and thus to under- 
mine what cannot he directly overthrown. In all 
the changes to which you may he invited, remem- 
her that time and habit are at least as necessary to 
fix the true character of governments, as of other 
liuman institutions, that experience is the surest 
standard, by which to test the real tendency of the 
existing constitution of a country; that facility in 



AMERICAN EiOGlLAPHICAL DICTIOXAET'. SSV 

cJiaiige iipoii tliccredit of mere hypothesis and opin- 
ion, exposes to perpetual change from the endless 
Yariety of hypoth.esis and opinion: and rememhei% 
©specially that for the einci.^ut inaiiagemeiit of yoiii' 
common interests, in a country so extensive as onrs;, 
a government of as miirh vigour as is consistent 
with the perfect security of liberty, is indisponsihlc. 
Liberty itself will find in such a government, with 
povvcrs properly distributed and atijusted, its surest 
guardian. It is, indeed, little else than a namc^ 
v» here the government is too fcehic to w ithstaud the- 
enterprises of faction, to confine each member of tiie 
society within the limits prescribed by the hiw^yj 
and to maintain all in the secure and tranquil oii- 
joyments of the riglits of person and property. 

I have already ir.timated to you the danger of the 
parties in the state, v, ith particular reference to the 
founding of them on geograpliical discriminations. 
Let me novv take a more comprehensive viev/, and 
warn }ou in the most solemn manner against the 
baneful effects of the spirit of party, generally. 

This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our 
nature, having its root in the strongest passions of 
the human mind. It exists under different shapes in 
all governments, more or less stilled, controled or re- 
pressed. B u t in th ose of the popular form, it is seen in 
its greatest rankness; and is truly their worst enemy. 

Tlie alternate dominion of one faction over ano- 
tlier, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to 
party dissention, which, in different ages and coun- 
tries, iias jierpetrated the most horrid enormities, 
is itself frightful despotism. But this leads at 
length to ii formal and permanent despotism. The 
disorders and miseries which result, gradually in- 
cline the minds of men to seek security and repose 
in the absolute power of an individual. And, soon- 
er or later, the chief of some prevailing faction, 
more able or more fortunate than his com]>etitorSj 
turns this disposition to the purposes of his own ele- 
vation, on the ruins of public liberty. 



j4& AMERICAN illOGEAriilCAX BlCTieNARl:. 

Without looking forward to an extremity ofthi& 
kind (which, jievertlieless, ought not to be entirely 
out of sight,) the common and continual mischiefs 
of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the 
interest and duty of a wise people to discourage 
and restrain it. 

It serves always to distract the public councils, 
and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates 
the commiuiity with ill founded jealousies and false 
alarms; kindles tlie animosity of one part against 
another; foments occasionally riot and insurrection; 
and opens the door to foreign influence and corrup- 
tion, which fin<! a facilitated access to the govern - 
.ment itself through the clsannels of party passions. 
Thus the policy and will of one country are sub- 
jected to the policy aud will of another. 

There is an opinion that parties in free countries 
arc useful checks upon the administration of the go- 
vernment, and serve to keep alive tlic spirit of li- 
berty. This, within certain limits, is probably true: 
and. In governments of a nionarchical cast, patrio- 
tism may look with indulgeuce, if not with fa\ our, 
upon the spirit of party. But in those of tlie popular 
Ciiaracter, in governments purely elective, it is a 
spirit not to be encoiM*aged. From their natural 
tendency, it is certain there vali always be enough 
of this spirit for every salutary purpose. And there 
being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to 
be. by force of public opinicm, to mitigate and as- 
suage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a 
uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a 
ilame, lest instead of warmiiig. it should consume. 

it is important, likewise tJiat tlie habits of think- 
ing in a free country should inspire caution, in those 
intrusted vvith its administration, to confine them- 
selves within their respective constitutional spheres, 
avoiding m the exercise of the powers of one c'epart- 
ment to en-roarii upon another. The spirit of <mi- 
f-roaciiment tends to consolidate the powers of ail tlu. 



AMErvICAN BIOGllAFIIICAL DiCTIOI's AI'T. ii4 i. 

departments in one, and tlius to create, ^YIlateYe^ 
the form of government^ a real despotism. A just 
estimate of that love of power, and proneness to 
ab\ise it which predominates in the human heart, is 
snilirient to satisfy us of the truth of this position, 
Tlie necessity of reciprocal checks, in the exercise 
of political power, by dividing and distributing it 
into (liferent depositories, and constituting each the 
guardian of public weal against invasions by the 
others, has been evinced by experiments ancient and 
moderns some of them in our country, and under 
our own eyes. To preserve tliem must be as ne- 
cessary as to institfite them. If, in the opinion of 
the people, the distribution or modification of the 
constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let 
it be corrected by an amendment in the way wliich 
the constitution designates. But let there be no 
change by usurpation: for tiiough this, in one in- 
stance, may be the instrument of good, it is the cus- 
tomary weapon by which free governments are de- 
stroyed. The precedesit must always greatly over- 
btilance, in permanent evil, ^wj partial or transient 
beiiefit which the use can at any time yield. 

Of all the dispositions and habits whicli lead to 
political ])rosperity, religion and morality a.re indis- 
pensable suppoi'ts. In vain would that man claim 
the tribute of patriotism, w bo sliould labour to siib- 
vci't these great pillars of Imman happiness, these 
iirmest pi-ops of the duties of men and citizens. The 
mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought 
to respect and to cherisJi them. A volume could 
not trace all their connexions with private and p'jblic 
felicity. Let it be simply asked w'nere is the secu- 
rity for pi'operty, for reputation, for life, if the sense 
of religious obligations desert the oaths, v. hicJ! arc 
the instruments of investsgation in courts of justice; 
And let us with caution indulge the supposition, ti;at 
morality can be maintained without rcHgiou. Wliat- 
ever may be conceded to the influence of rcrmcd edii- 
" Dd2 



J. o 



AME£llCAi\ BIOGRAPHICAL DICTION ARl 



cation on minds of i)eciiliar structure, reason and ex- 
perience both forbid us to expect tliat national moral- 
ity can prevail in exclusion of religious principle. 
It is substantially true, that A-irtue or morality 
is a necessary spring of popular government. The 
rule indeed extends with mo« e or less force to eve- 
ry species of free government. Who that is a sin- 
cere friend to it can look with indififorence upon at- 
tcmpts to shake the foundation of the fabric? 

Fi'omote. then, as an object of primary import- 
ance, institutions for the general diffusion of know- 
ledge. In proportion as the structure of a gov- 
ernment gives force to public opinion, it is essen- 
tial that jniblic opinion should be enlightened. 

As a very important source of strength and seen- 
rity, clierish public credit One method of preserve 
xng it, is to use it as sparingly as possible; avoiding 
occasions of expense by cultivating peace: but re- 
membering also that timely disbui'sements to pre- 
pare for danger ftequently prevent much greater dis- 
bursements to 7\pel it; avoiding likewise the accu- 
mulations of debt- not only by shunning occasions of 
expense, but by vigorous exertions in time of peace^ 
to discharge the debts which unavoidable wars may 
have occasioned', not ungenerously throwing upon 
posterity the burden wliicli we ourselves o«ight to 
bear. The execution of these maxims belongs to 
your representati^if's^ but it is necessary that public 
<ipinion should co-operate. To facilitate to them the 
performance of their duty, it is essential that you 
should practically bear in mind, that towards the 
payment of dehts I here must be revenue; that to have 
revenue there must he taxes- that no taxes can be de- 
vised v» itich are not more or less i)iconvenient and un- 
pleasant, that the intrinsic embarrassment insepara- 
ble from the selection of the proper objec t (w hich is 
always a clioico of difficulties) ought to be a decisive 
motive for a caiidifs construction of the conduct of 
the government in making it, and for a spirit of 



AMERICAN BIOGKAinilCAIi DICTIONARY. S46 

acquiescence in the measures for obtaining revenue, 
wlsicb the public exigencies may at any time dictate. 

Observe good faith and justice towards all na- 
tions; cultivate pea-e and harmony with all Ridi- 
gion and morality enjoin this conduct: and can it be 
that good policy does not equally enjoin it? It will 
be worthy of a free, enlightened, and at no distant 
period a great nation to give to mankind the mag- 
nanimous and too novel example of a people always 
guided by an exalted justice aiid l^enevolence, W!»o 
can doubt that in the course of time and things, the 
fruits of such a plan woull i ichl v repay any tempo- 
rary advantages which might be lost by a steady ad- 
her nre to it ' Can it be that Pro^ idencehas not con- 
nected the permane!it felicity of a nation n ith its 
virtue? The experimeiit at least is recom nended 
bv every sentiment vvhich ennobles liu nan nature. 
Alas! it is rendered impossible bv its vires! 

In the execution of such a plan, nothing is more 
esseiitial tlian that permanent, inveterate antipa- 
thies against particular nations, and ])assionate at- 
tachments for others, should be excluded- and that 
in place of them, just and amicable feelings to war! s 
all should be cultivated. The nation, which indul- 
ges tovvards another an habitual hati'cd. or an hab- 
it lal fondness, is in some degree a slave. It is a 
sla^'e to its animosity or to its affectioji. cither of 
which is sufficient to lead it astray iVom its duty 
and its interest. Antipathy in one nation against 
ay^other, disposes each more readily to offer insult 
and injury, to lay hold cf slight c'}H^e.^ of umbi'age, 
and to be haughtv an^; int'-Lvtahlo. wiien arri^lpntal 
or trifling occasions of <lispute occur. Hence fre- 
quent collisions, obstinate, enveriOiued and bloody 
contests. The nation, prompte*:! by ill-will and re- 
sentment, sometimes impels to war the gover!\ment^ 
contrary to the best calculations of policy. The gov- 
ernment'sometimes participates in the jiational pro- 
pensity, and adopts through passion what reasoii 



344 AMlLliltAJV lilOGRAPHlCAL DICTIONARY. 

wonhi reject; at other times, it makes the animosihr 
of ihe nation suhservient to projects of hostility in- 
stigated by pi'ide, ambition, and other sinister and 
pernicious motives. Tlie peace, often, sometimes 
perhaps the liberty of nations has been tiie victim. 
So likewise, a passionate attachment of one nation 
for another pi^oduces a variety of evils. Sympathy 
for the favourite nation, facilitating the illnsion of 
an imaginary common intei'est, in cases ^yhere no 
real common interest exists? and infusing into one 
ti«e enmities of t!ic otlier* betrays the former into a 
parti< ipatio]! in tlie qr^ai rels and wars of tl^e latter, 
without adc(i«JMte in.hireoient or justilication. It 
lea«Js filso to concessions to the favourite nation of 
privileges denied to others, wliich is apt doubly to 
irsjurc the nation making tlie concessions; by nnne- 
ces-iirily partiiig with what ought to have fjeen re- 
ta-ned:; and by exiiting jealousy, ili-wil], and adis- 
pos't'on to retaliate, in the parties from Wiiom equal 
privileges are v^itliheld: and it gives to ambitious^ 
covrupted. or delu-ied citizens (who devote them- 
sehes to the favourite nation) facility to betray or 
sacrifice the interests of tlieii' own country, without 
O'^ium, sometimes even with popularity; gilding 
with tlie appearances of a virtuous sense of obliga- 
tio^is, commendable deference for public opinion, or 
a laudable i^eal for public good= the base or foolish 
com]}liances of ambition, corruption or infatuation. 

As avenues to foreign inliuence in innumerable 
wrys, such atta( liments ai'e particularly alarming 
to the truly enlightened and independent ])atriot. 
Bow many opportunities do they afford to tamper 
with domestic factioiis. to ]>ractice the arts of se- 
duction, to mislead public opinion, to influence or 
awe the public councils' Such an attachment of a 
small or weak, towards a great and ]>o\^ erful nation, 
dooras the former to be the sijtellite of tlie latter. 

Against the insidioes wiles of foreig^i influence 
(1 coisjure you to believe me, fellow citizens) the 



,UIEltlGAi\ ElOGllAPHICAI. DICTIONARY. 34.^ 

jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly 
awake; since history and experience prove that fo- 
reign influence is one of the most baneful foes of re- 
publican government. But tliat jealousy, to be use- 
ful, must be impartial: else it becomes the instru- 
ment of the very influence to be avoided, instead of 
a defence against it. Excessive partiality for one 
foreign nation, and excessive dislike of another, 
cause those whom they actuate to see danger only 
on one side, and serve to veil and even second tlie 
arts of influence on the other. Real patriots, who 
may resist the intrigues of the favourite, are liable 
to become suspected and odious; while its tools and 
dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the peo- 
ple, to surrender their interests. 

The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to 
foreign nations, is. in exten<Hng our commercial re- 
lations, to have with tliem as little jwlitlcal connex- 
ion as possible. So far as v. e have already form- 
ed engagements, let them be fulfilled vvith perfect 
good faith. Here let us stop, 

Europe has a set of primary interests, which to 
us have none, or a very remote relation. Hence 
she must be engaged in fi'equent controversies, the 
causes of which are essentially foreign to our con- 
cerns. Hence, therefore,, it must be unwise in us to 
implicate ourselves, by artificial ties, in the ordina- 
ry vicissitudes of her politics, or the ordinary com- 
binations and collisions of iier friendships or enmi- 
ties Our detached and distant situation invites 
and enables us to pursue a different course. If vre 
remain one people, under an efficient government, 
the period is not far off, when we may defy mate- 
rial injury from external annoyance: when we may 
take such an attitude as will cause the neutrality^ 
we may at any time resolve upon, to be scrupulous^ 
ly respected; when belligerent nations, under the 
impossibility of making acquisitions upon us^ will 
not lightly hazard tiie giving us provocation: when 



346 AMERICAN BIOGRArillCAL DICTiO:^AllY. 

wc may choose peace or war, as our interest, guid- 
ed by justi( e, shall counsel. 

Wliy forego the advantages of so peculiar a sitii- 
ation? >Vhy quit our own to stand upon foreign 
ground: Why. by interweaving our destiny with 
that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and 
prosperitv in tfie toils of Earoj)ean ambition, ri- 
valship, interest, humour or caprice. 

It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent 
alliances, with any portion of the foreign world; so 
far. I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it; for let 
me not be understood as capable of patronizing infi- 
delity to existing engagements, 1 hold the maxim 
no less applicable to public than to private affairs, 
that honesty is always tlie best policy. I repeat it, 
therefore, let those engagements be observed in their 
genuine sense. But in my opinion, it is unnecessa- 
ry, and would be unwise to extend them. 

Taking care always to keep ourselves, by suita- 
ble establishments, in a respectable defensive pos- 
ture, we may safely trust to temporary alliances 
for extraordinary emergencies. ^' 

Harmoi^y and a liberal intercourse with all n;^tions, 
are recommended by policy, humanity ami interest. 
But even our commercial policy should hold an 
equal and impartial hand; neither seeking nor gran- 
ting exclusive favours or preferences; consulting 
the natural course of things; dixTtssing and diversi- 
fying by gentle means the streams of commerce, 
but forcing nothing: establishing, with powers so 
dispose?!, la order to gi^ e trade a stable course, to 
define tite liglits of our merchants, and to enable 
the governuient to support tjiem; conventional rules 
©f intercourse, the besi that present circumstances 
and mutual opinion will permit, but temporary, and, 
liable to be IVom time to time abandoned or varied, 
as expei iesne anc! circumstances shall dictate, con- 
stat tl/ keeping in view, tiiatit is folly in one nation. 
to look for *)isijiterested favours from another; tiiat 



AMERICAN BIOGRAPHICAL DICT'I0?^ART. 347' 

it must pay witli a ]>ortion of its iiKlepeiidence for 
whatever it may accept under tlmt character; that 
by such acceptance, it may place itself in the con- 
dition of liaving given equivalents for nominal fa- 
vours, and yet of being reproached with ingratitude 
for not giving more. There can be no greater er- 
ror than to expect, or calculate upon real favours 
from nation to nation. It is an illusion which expe- 
rience must cure, which a just pride ought to discard. 

In offering to you, my countrymen, tliese counsels 
of an old and affectionate friend, I dare not hope 
they will make the strong and lasting impression I 
could wish: that they will control the usual current 
of tlie passions, or prevent our nation from running 
the course which has hitherto marked the destiny of 
nations! but. if I may even flatter myself, that they 
may be productive of some partial benefit, some oc- 
casional good; that they may now and tfien recur to 
moderate the fury of party spirit; to warn against 
the mischiefs of foreign intrigue; to guard against 
the impostures of pretended patriotism; tliis hope 
will be a full recompense for the solicitude for your 
welfare, by which they have been dictated. 

Ho\Y far, in the discharge of my ollicial duties,, 
I have been guided by the principles which have 
been delineated, the public records and other evi- 
dences of my conduct must witness to you and to 
the world. To myself., the assurance of my own 
conscience is. that I have, at least, believed mj- 
self to be guided by tliem. 

In relation to tise still subsisting war in Europe, 
my proclamation of the22d of ApriL 1793, is the 
index to my plaii. Sanctioned by your approving 
voice, and by that of your representatives in both 
'houses of congress, the spirit of that measure has 
continually governed me, uninfluenced by any at- 
tempts to deter or divert me from it. 

After deliherate examiimtion, with tlie aid of tlie 
best lights I could obtain, I was well satisfied that 



348 AMEUICAN BIOGRArniCAL DICTIOXAEY. 

our country, under all the circumstances of the cas^ 
had a right to take, and was bound in duty and inte- 
rest, to take a neutral position. Having taken it, X 
determined, as far as should depend upon me, to 
maintain it with moderation, perseverance and 
firmness. Tlie considerations which res})cct the 
riglit to liold this conduct, it is notnecessai'y on this 
occasion to detail. 1 will only observe, that ac- 
cording to n)v understanding of the matter, that 
right, so far from being denied by any of the belli- 
gerent powers, has been virtually admitted by all. 

Th.e duty of holding a neutral conduct may bo 
inferred without any thing more, from tlic obliga- 
tion which justice and liumanity impose on every 
nation, in cases in whirli it is free to act, to main- 
tain inviolate the relations of peace and amit}' to- 
wards other nations. 

The inducements of interest for observing that 
conduct w ill be best referred to your ow n reflections 
and experience. With me a jn-edominant motive 
has been, to endeavour to gain time to our country 
to settle and mature its yet recent institutions, and 
to progress, without interiiiption, to that degree of 
strength and consistency, which is necessary to give 
it, humanly speaking, the command of its own for- 
tunes. 

Though, in reviewing the incidents of my admin- 
istration, I am unconscious of inteiitional error, I am 
nevertheless too sensible of my defects, not to think 
it probable that i may liave committed many errors. 
Whatever they may he, I fervently beseech the Al- 
mighty to avert or mitigate tSie evils to which they 
may tend. 1 shall also carry with me the fjope that 
my country w ill never cease to view them w ith indul- 
gence; and thjit, after forty-five years of my life ded- 
icated to its service, vvith. an upright zeal, the faults 
of incompetent abilities w ill be consigned to oblivi- 
on, as myself must soon be to the mansions of rest. 

Eelying on its kindp.ess in this as in otlier things^ 



AMERICAN BIOGRAPHIC Ali DICTIONARY. 549 

and actuated by that fervent love towards it, which 
is so natural to a man, who views it in the native 
soil of liimself and his progenitors for several gene- 
I'ations, I anticipate with pleasing expectation that 
retreat, in whicli I promise myself to realize, with- 
out alloy, the sweet enjoyment of partaking in the 
midst of my fellow-citizens, the benign influence of 
good laws under a free government: the ever favor- 
ite object of my heart, and the happy reward, as 1 
iTust, of our mutual cares, labours, and dangers. 

G. WASHINGTON. 
United States, 17th Sept. 1796. 



ADVERTISEMENT. 

The com])iler has given, in the present edition^ 
several original biograpliical sketches, written by 
some of the most eminent men in our country; and 
he deems it proper to state, that since the present 
edition has been put to press, he has received 
other original sketches, wiiich will be reserved 
for the tJiiril edition, to be comprised in an octa- 
vo ^ olume, and to contain between four and five 
litiiidied pages. The very flattering encourage- 
ment already received for the third edition, would 
justify the Editor in putting it to press immediately; 
but having promised gentlemen in various parts of 
the Union, to delay it to enable them to collect and 
prepare sketches of our deceased heroes, sages, and 
sratesmen, of the revolution, it will not be put to 
press until early next spring. 

The compiler tenders his sincere thanks to those 

gentlemen who have so liberally patronised the 

,vc!'k, and wlio furnislied materials for it, and we 

V ith confidence assert, that *^as Americans, 

ail with delight any attempt to rescue from 

o' ?i ion the words or actions of those vvhose names 

w^^ Ikivc been taught to revere." 

Easton. Pennsylvania, Mgust 13. 1833. 



CONTENTS, 



A Declaration hy tlie rcpreseiitalives of 
the United colonies of North America, 
setting forth the causes and necessity 
of their taking np arms, i 

A petition of Congress to the king of 
Great Britain, stating the merits of 
their claims, and soliciting the royal 
interposition for an accommodation of 
differences on just principles, 10 

Proclamation for a day of general humi- 
liation, fasting and prayer, 1 5 

Declaration of American Independence, K 

Proclamation for a day ol' public thanks- 
giving and prayer, on account of the 
capture of tlie British army under the 
command of Lieutenant General Bur- 
goyne, on the 16th of October, 1777, 23 

An atldress of the Congress to the inha- 
bitants of the United States of America, 
upon the situation of public alfiiirs, 24 

A manifesto by the Congress of the Uni- 
ted States of America, o'. 

Proclamation for a day of public thanks- 
giving and prayer, on account of tlie 
cai)ture of the British army under tlie 
command lord Cornwallis, at York- 
town, Virginia, on the i 9th of October, 
1781, ^ 3^' 

Proclamation for a day of t]ranksgiving,iii 
consequence of a cessation of arms be- 
tween the United States and Great Bri- 
tain. 36 
General Washingtou's general orders to 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

tlio army, on the cessation of arms, be- 
tween the United States atid Great 

Britain. - - - s% 
General Wasliington's farewell address 

to the armies of the United States, 41 
Speech of general Washington to tlie Pre- 
* sident of Congress, on resigning his 

commission as commander in chief, ' 46 
Answer of the President of Congress to 

the foregoing, - 47 

Adams, Samuel, - . _ 49 

Allen, Ethan, - . - 66 

Alexander, AYilliam, - - TO 
Arnold Benedict, - - -74 

— Anecdote of him, - 84 

Eartlett, Josiah, - - . 86 
Bid die, Nicholas, > - 89 
Bryan, George, - - 100 
Cadwalader, John, - - 102 
Clinton, James, - - 107 
Clinton, George, - - 114 
Clinton, Chaides, - - • 119 
Davidson, William, - - 123 
Dickinson. John, - - 127 
--— ~ -Extract from an address of con- 
gress, 1779, written hy him, - 29 
Drayton, William, Her. ry, - -■ 132 

His charge to the grand jury, 132 

Franklin. Benjamin, - - 134 

His rules and moral princples, 160 

^ His laconic letter to a member 

of Parliament, in 1775, - 167 

Cradsden, Christopher, - - 171 

— Anecdote of him, - 173 

Gates, Horatio, - - 176 

Greene, Nathaniel, - - - 187 

Interesting story, - 109 

Hamilton, Alexander^ - - 205 



35£ CONTENTS. 

1»AGK 

HaiKock, Jolin, - - 212 

His oration commemorative of 

the Boston massacre, 1774, 214 

Hawley, Joseph, - - 224 

His *^ hroken liints," 227 

Henry, Patrick, - - 230 

-His resolutsoRS concerning the 

stamp act, - - - 234 
His speech in the house of dele- 
gates of Virginia, on l»is motion to put 
the colony in a state of ("efence, in 1775, 24 1 
--" His conduct in the case of John 



Hook, - „ . - 248 

Hopkinson^ Francis, - - - 251 

Hopkins, Stephen, - - - Q53 

iinox, Henry, - - - 255 

Laurens, Henry, - - - 260 

Lre, Richard, Henry, - - 263 

"^ His speecli on his motion for the 

fleclaration of independence, June 1776, 264 

Lhlngston, Philip, - - - 271 

IMarion, Francis, - - 276 

Interesting incident - 279 

^Umin, TItomas, - - - 283 

?•. :r:!tgoniery, Richard, - - 284 

;■ wvAU, Israel, - - 288 

l-i vl. Joseph, ' - ^ - ^^eo 

"Wru'ren, Jose])h, - »• i:f;G 

'Washington, George, - - 300 

"tVisyne, Anthony; - - - 316 

— ills letter to go\ crnor Tryoii, 291 

- — His lacoinc letter to gC'ieral 

Yf as^iinglon iijiniediatcly after tiic ^-iir- 

> :«i;.d"'^r of Stoney Feint, 1779. 320 

Kohirt " - - ' - S24 

. -./■/ht^^'i.sliing^-r"--— • -^ ^..'.^..o.^-^ 

' -ho people of i^ 

ijounring liit inlcnlK)!! iu rctiii;;g Iroin 

;oiiblic .sci'vicc. » . , , 536 



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